In the News
Preparing for Upcoming FRA Funding Opportunities: Lessons Learned from CY2023
March 2, 2024
FRA’s Lessons Learned from CY 2023 video offers guidance on best practices for submitting a successful grant application for CY 2024 funding opportunities. Read More.
16 U.S. Senators sent a letter to Seante Appropriations Committee Leaders in Strong Support of the FRA Fed-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program
January 12, 2024
16. U.S. Senators sent a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leaders urging, “support [of] no less than $100 million for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) grant program.” The letter detailed the need for both Northeast Corridor and Non-NEC funding. The letter concludes, “we urge the Subcommittee to vigorously defend the $100 million appropriation for FY 2024 for the Federal-State Partnership for IPR program.” Read More.
Amtrak Fiscal Year 2023: Ridership Exceeds Expectations as Demand for Passenger Rail Soars
November 30, 2023
WASHINGTON – Amtrak continued its strong growth in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) as the company resumed service on all routes and advanced major infrastructure projects that will support plans to double ridership by 2040. In FY23, more than 28 million customers rode Amtrak nationwide, fueled in part by significant growth on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), where ridership is booming and consistently exceeding pre-pandemic levels since early summer. Read More.
The U.S. is having a rail travel renaissance, but you probably didn’t notice
November 10, 2023
You can hear them as they plug in their devices at their seat. You can hear them as they pass through the hissing automatic doors between cars. You can hear them as they enter the spacious, sparkling restrooms. Read More.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $1.4 Billion in Infrastructure Funding for 70 Projects That Will Improve Rail Safety, Strengthen Supply Chains, and Add Passenger Rail Service
September 25, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced today that it has invested more than $1.4 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law into 70 rail improvement projects in 35 states and Washington, D.C. This is the largest amount ever awarded for rail safety and rail supply chain upgrades through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program. Read More.
Large Majorities Support National And State Investment In Passenger Rail
May 31, 2023
A recent national survey shows almost all voters (92%) believe it is important to invest in improved safety and service for passenger rail, and 41% feel it is extremely important. Read More.
Working Group Recommends Amtrak Improve Food, Beverage Offerings
May 15, 2023
After a year of study, a working group has submitted to Congress nearly two dozen recommendations for how Amtrak can improve its food and beverage offerings. Read More.
Amtrak Food and Beverage Working Group Report Summary
April 24, 2023
A summary of the recommendations made by this Congressionally appointed group. View Summary
States for Passenger Rail Coalition Hires Tai Ginsberg & Associates
April 24, 2023
WASHINGTON – The States for Passenger Rail Coalition is pleased to announce a new partnership with Tai Ginsberg & Associates, LLC (TG&A) to help advance the goals of the coalition in Washington, DC. Read More
Amtrak Completes Upgrades at Gastonia, N.C., Station
April 4, 2023
WASHINGTON – Amtrak customers now have a more accessible journey with the completion of a $3.2 million project at the Gastonia, N.C., station. The upgrades are part of the company’s overall commitment to improve the customer experience at stations and onboard trains across its national network. Read More
Money sought for Amtrak rail service between Louisville and Indianapolis
March 28, 2023
Officials in Kentucky and Indiana are moving forward with seeking federal funds that could one day help connect Louisville, Indianapolis and Chicago via Amtrak rail service. Read More
All Aboard: Passenger Rail Is Rolling Along the Atlantic Coast
March 27, 2023
There’s a passenger rail boom happening on the Eastern Seaboard, and it’s not where you might think. Read More
FY24 General and Legislative Annual Report
March 22, 2023
Amtrak’s Fiscal Year (FY) 24 general and legislative annual report, contains our annual grant request and accompanying legislative requests and annual operations information for FY 22, including a discussion of key results and accomplishments; and other related materials. Read More
Amtrak Study Examines Scranton – New York Corridor
March 22, 2023
SCRANTON, Pa. – Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority (PNRRA) have released the findings of a two-year analysis examining the potential for rail service between Scranton and New York. Read More
Amtrak, New York State Department of Transportation and VIA Rail Canada Fully Restore Adirondack Service
March 20, 2023
NEW YORK – Amtrak, in conjunction with VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail), New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and other federal agencies, today announced the resumption of train service between New York City and Montreal via the Adirondack train beginning Monday, April 3 Read More
FRA OKs Virginia Rail Plan
March 17, 2023
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s (DRPT) 2022 Statewide Rail Plan has received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Read More
Rail safety bill introduced in U.S. House
March 17, 2023
WASHINGTON — Two U.S. representatives from Ohio — Bill Johnson (R) and Emilia Sykes (D) — today introduced the Reducing Accidents in Locomotives Act, or RAIL Act, the latest legislative response to the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment. Read More
Amtrak, Southern Rail Commission to seek funding for Crescent route expansion
March 13, 2023
Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) will jointly apply for federal funds to study a proposed extension of a passenger-rail route across Mississippi and Louisiana to Texas along Interstate 20. Read More
Siemens to build $220 million railcar factory in North Carolina
March 7, 2023
LEXINGTON, N.C. — Siemens Mobility officials announced Tuesday on a media call with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose that they intend to construct a $220 million passenger railcar manufacturing facility designed to complement the company’s existing Sacramento, Calif., plant. Read More
Amtrak Cascades Service Fully Restored
March 6, 2023
WASHINGTON – Amtrak, in collaboration with ODOT, WSDOT and other agencies resumes Cascades service between Portland, Ore. and Vancouver, BC on March 6. Read More
Proposed train station would bring passenger service to Pueblo for first time in decades
February 19, 2023
A proposed new train station could bring train travelers to Pueblo for the first time since passenger rail service to the city stopped in 1971. Read More
Michigan seeks federal funds to upgrade Amtrak route
February 6, 2023
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s Transportation Department will seek $20 million to $25 million in federal grants to repair bridges on a state-owned line used by Amtrak services. Read More
California agency awards more than $2.5 billion for transit projects
February 2, 2023
SACRAMENTO — A $600 million award to L.A. Metro for its East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Corridor project heads the more than $2.5 billion in funding announced this week by the California State Transportation Agency for transit projects, most of them rail-related. Read More