Amtrak elaborated this week on its “Connect US” plan, which calls for a 15-year $75 billion federal investment to add 39 new routes and enhance service on 25 other routes.
Calling the plan “Corridor Vision,” Amtrak said it would lead to the carrier providing intercity rail passenger service in 47 of the 48 contiguous states and new stations in more than half of those states.
If implemented, the network expansion would generate $8 billion in annual economic benefits by 2035 and an additional $195 billion in economic activity resulting from capital projects during the same period.
In a letter to Congress, Amtrak CEO William Flynn outlined details of the plan, many of which have already been reported.
This includes Amtrak paying all initial costs for new or improved service but with states eventually assuming responsibility for those costs.
Amtrak proposed to pay upfront the estimated cost for stations, rail cars, locomotives, and infrastructure.
Amtrak also is seeking a dedicated funding source, the Passenger Rail Trust Fund, and called for passage of the Rail Passenger Fairness Act, which would enhance Amtrak’s ability to enforce its right of operating preference over freight trains.
In an effort to prevent host railroads from stalling the launch of new routes, Amtrak wants Congress to clarify existing law that provides Amtrak with access to host railroads.
“Too often host railroads resist and stall any efforts to expand service,” Flynn wrote.
In a statement issued with a news release, Flynn said new and improved rail service has the ability to change how Americans move while providing cleaner air, reducing highway congestion and providing a more connected country.
Details of the Connect US plan are contained in a report Amtrak issued titled Amtrak’s Vision for Improving Transportation Across America.
Among the cities that would receive new or improved service are Houston, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Las Vegas, Nashville, Columbus, Phoenix, and Wichita.
Amtrak said the added service could increase its ridership by 20 million riders annually.
Amtrak said the plan is not a final proposal and does not lay out a specific order or priority ranking for route development.
It said many factors, including available funding levels, post-pandemic travel demand, state interest, host railroad conditions, and equipment availability, will play a role in determining final implementation plans for the Connect US program.
If a corridor is not mentioned in the plan, Amtrak said that doesn’t mean it opposes development of that service.
The passenger carrier cautioned that just because a corridor is shown in its plan doesn’t mean it is certain to be implemented.
“The corridors proposed here are intended to be additive to Amtrak’s pre-COVID-19 route network,” Amtrak said.
Amtrak expects to implement its corridor services over a 15-year period.
The Amtrak report also sought to downplay the idea that these will be high-speed routes.
“While high speed rail service may be right for certain corridors, current state-supported Amtrak services such as the Pacific Surfliner and the Hiawatha show that intercity passenger rail can be successful with conventional operating speeds,” Amtrak said.
“As corridors which begin at conventional speeds build ridership and demand, they can be considered for future conversion to high speed service.”
Funding for Connect US would come from a variety of sources, including direct federal funding to Amtrak for corridor development and operation, and discretionary grants available to states, Amtrak and others for corridor development, the report said.
“This vision does not propose to replace existing grant programs. Rather, it would augment them with dedicated and reliable funding from an intercity passenger rail trust fund … or other source needed to execute on a long-term vision.”
Tags: Amtrak, Amtrak Connect US, Amtrak funding, Amtrak funding request, Congress, William Flynn
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