States, Amtrak plead to Congress for rail funding
Asking for at least $2 billion over five years, an Amtrak-led alliance of states requests that Congress allot grant money for major intercity rail lines.
Amtrak and 29 states implored Congress this week to create a pilot program to help pay for the expansion of intercity rail lines.
Currently, very few federal funds are available for major intercity train corridors such as the San Francisco-Sacramento line in California and the Chicago-St. Louis line through Illinois.
Similar intercity highway projects can receive up to 80% federal funding, with a 20% local match.
Amtrak, which operates many of the rail lines in question, helped state representatives organize a protest and carve out a proposal for $2 billion to $3 billion over five years, which it says will have a huge impact.
Amtrak, meanwhile, sent a $1.8 billion budget request of its own to Congress for fiscal year 2005 as part of a five-year recovery program.
President Bush has proposed scaling back direct funding to Amtrak, which is getting $1.2 billion this fiscal year, to under $1 billion.
More Rail
Scenes from APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026
Transit leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals gathered in Chicago to explore new technologies, share ideas, and discuss the future of public transportation.
Read More →
USDOT Awards $416 Million for Florida Rail Crossing Safety Upgrades, New Brightline Station
The projects aim to reduce risks for motorists and pedestrians at rail crossings while expanding passenger rail access along Florida’s Space Coast.
Read More →
OCTA Declares Emergency to Protect Rail Corridor From Coastal Erosion
The California agency is accelerating shoreline protection and plans to place approximately 690,000 cubic yards of sand along the San Clemente coast to protect a key passenger and freight rail link.
Read More →
More Than a Summer Job: Building the Next Generation of Transit Talent
The Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO have transformed their internship program into a hands-on professional development experience that introduces students to the breadth of transportation careers — and creates a pipeline for future employees.
Read More →
Airo Trains Make Their Amtrak Cascades Debut in the Pacific Northwest
Effective immediately, two cutting-edge Airo trainsets will join the Amtrak Cascades route, operating four daily trips between Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, Oregon, marking the first introduction of Airo trains into passenger service anywhere in the country.
Read More →
Florida's Brightline Announces Financial Restructuring
Brightline Florida says train operations will continue as normal as certain parent entities enter Chapter 11 and financial stakeholders provide $490 million in new long-term capital.
Read More →
ENC Lands MATA Contract and More in Biz Briefs
In this edition of Biz Briefs, we spotlight the latest developments shaping the future of mobility.
Read More →
Strada360’s Steve Lassey on Turning Transit Data Into Better Decisions
From breaking down data silos to preparing for AI, Strada360 CEO Steve Lassey discusses how transit agencies can use technology to improve operations, customer information, and long-term decision-making.
Read More →
SEPTA Details Accelerate Vision for Transit System
The plan outlines investments in trolley modernization, new Metro and Regional Rail vehicles, accessible stations, and more frequent bus and rail service.
Read More →
FTA Ends Direct Oversight of MBTA Safety Actions
The federal agency closed its remaining special directive to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities following a safety review that began in 2022.
Read More →