DOT unveils final report on potential Amtrak service expansion, restoration

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is taking early steps to explore pathways for a nationwide network of reliable long-distance passenger rail service.

The DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is announcing the final report for a rail study that could lead to the restoration and expansion of Amtrak daily intercity passenger rail service around the country. The Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study, established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) in 2021, will inform federal, state and local efforts to transform long-distance rail networks in communities that have faced reductions in service since the 1970s.

Through the study, the FRA was tasked to evaluate the impacts of long-distance rail service on local urban and rural communities, businesses and rail owners and operators, effectively establishing a foundation for future planning efforts.

The study’s scope was vast, considering routes that had previously operated as part of Amtrak’s long-distance network, especially those that were discontinued or reduced in frequency after 1971. While the legislation evaluated specific routes, it also encourages the FRA to consider new routes that could serve rural communities, increase national connectivity and improve the economic and social well-being of these areas.

The rail study outlines several expansion initiatives throughout Amtrak’s existing lines and explores over a dozen potential new routes that can increase passenger connectivity. Two existing Amtrak lines, the Cardinal Route and the Sunset Limited Route, were recommended for additional development, fleet procurement and service expansion efforts.

Under the provisions of the BIL, the FRA assessed whether making these existing routes daily would meet public demand and contribute to a larger, more integrated national rail system. In doing so, the study looked to address gaps in service that affect communities that are often isolated by long distances and lack sufficient transportation options.

The expansion of daily service on these lines would require substantial investments in infrastructure, daily operating costs and additional equipment procurement. Combined, the Cardinal and Sunset routes would require six new train sets, which would more than double the current trainsets needed for 3x/week service. According to daily operating cost estimates, operating expenses would rise up to $75 million for the Cardinal Route and $122 million for the Sunset Route in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

With input from a wide array of stakeholders, the study outlines several preferred route options that could enhance connectivity and improve service for millions of Americans, if built. These include:

Chicago to Miami.
Dallas/Fort Worth to Miami.
Denver to Houston.
Los Angeles to Denver.
Phoenix to Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Dallas/Fort Worth to New York.
Houston to New York.
Seattle to Denver.
San Antonio to Minneapolis/St. Paul.
San Francisco to Dallas/Fort Worth.
Detroit to New Orleans.
Denver to Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Seattle to Chicago.
Dallas/Fort Worth to Atlanta.
El Paso, Texas to Billings, Montana.

If the report’s findings are implemented, the network of selected preferred route options could provide rail access to approximately 39 million people that don’t have passenger rail service. Spanning 34 states, these routes could serve more than seven million people in rural communities as well.

The final also report anticipates these new potential routes would create thousands of good-paying construction and operating jobs, enhance equity in unserved communities and reduce the number of automobile and bus crashes on roadways.

Funding these ambitious expansion and restoration initiatives would be expensive, according to the final report. Securing the necessary funding for infrastructure improvements, coordinating with local communities and addressing governance issues are all identified as hindrances that need to be addressed prior to the launch of new and expanded services.

Of the preferred route selections, the Denver to Minneapolis/St. Paul rail line would be the most expensive to develop, according to the study’s cost estimates. Today, this line would require approximately $8 billion in capital to fund vehicle costs, station and maintenance facility costs and infrastructure costs.

Notably, the final report indicates that there is currently no dedicated funding program to support the implementation of the preferred route options identified in the study, though some of these routes could qualify for planning grants through FRA’s Corridor Identification and Development Program.

The final report also recommends the creation of a new long-distance committee to discuss feedback, community engagement and stakeholders on the current Amtrak iteration. This committee would consist of key stakeholders that operate or use the line, such as host railroads, states, FRA, Amtrak and communities served by long-distance routes.

Looking ahead, the rail study will be viewed as a vital early step towards enhancing long-distance service on existing and proposed Amtrak rail lines.

As the study is conceptual, all recommendations, costs, funding sources and other key items may be subject to change prior to implementation. The final report for the Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study is available here.

Photo courtesy Mds08011, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons