The “Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act,” which was unanimously approved by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, would authorize Amtrak for the next four years at an average $1.65 billion a year. Additionally, $570 million in total grant funding would be made available every year.
U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced their bipartisan measure to increase passenger rail safety, reauthorize Amtrak services, and improve existing rail infrastructure has been unanimously approved by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
“Investing in our nation’s rail system is important to economic growth,” Wicker said. “It connects businesses, moves goods, and transports Americans across the country. I am pleased that the committee has put forward a resounding vote in favor of our bill. This measure prioritizes safety, enhances rail infrastructure, encourages competition and makes smart use of taxpayer dollars.”
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“Today’s vote brings us one step closer to passing a bill that reinvests in vital rail infrastructure along the Northeast Corridor, enhances safety, and protects workers,” Booker said. “I now urge Senate leaders to pass this bipartisan bill that invests in a safe and reliable passenger rail system that Americans can depend on. Time and time again our rail system falls short due to a lack of adequate infrastructure investment- we can and must do better. We must quickly build on this bipartisan effort by bringing this legislation to the Senate for a full vote.”
The “Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act,” S. 1626, would authorize Amtrak for the next four years at an average $1.65 billion a year. Additionally, $570 million in total grant funding would be made available every year. These competitive grants would go toward programs related to capital assistance, service enhancement and restoration, efforts to alleviate rail congestion and the Northeast Corridor.
Highlights of the legislation include increasing safety; leveraging private sector investment and facilitating increased competition; cutting red tape to make taxpayers dollars go further; improving existing infrastructure and services; demanding accountability, transparency and efficiency; and empowering states.
Company officials said that this latest contract extension with Metrolinx consolidates the company’s position as the leading private provider of Operations and maintenance services in North America.
The new cars, model R262, will be funded by the MTA’s 2025-29 Capital Plan, which received a historic $68 billion in funding from Governor Hochul and the State Legislature in the FY26 Enacted State Budget.
Amtrak will open grant applications March 23 for community projects near the Frederick Douglass Tunnel alignment in Baltimore as part of a $50 million investment tied to the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program.
The Denmark Station $2.3 million construction investment project includes a new 280-foot concrete boarding platform, built eight inches above the top of rail, for improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities and families with small children and much more.
Caltrain and its partners have implemented safety improvements at specific locations in response to known risk conditions, operational needs, and available funding since the agency’s founding.
On a recent episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sat down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the CSA Group, to explore a bold initiative aimed at addressing those challenges: the development of a National Code for Transit and Passenger Rail Systems in Canada.
Competitive FTA grants will support accessibility upgrades, family-friendly improvements, and cost-efficient capital projects at some of the nation’s oldest and busiest transit hubs.
The 3.92-mile addition will soon take riders west beyond its current Wilshire and Western station in Koreatown, continuing under Wilshire Boulevard through neighborhoods and communities including Hancock Park, Windsor Square, the Fairfax District, and Carthay Circle into Beverly Hills.
