President Biden released his American Jobs Plan on Wednesday, that included plans for infrastructure investment, economic recovery, climate change, and social equity, and $80 billion designated specifically for rail. Amtrak’s vision to grow rail service and connect new city pairs across America rises to the urgent challenges of our time, and will provide new and improved train service to millions of additional passengers.
“President Biden’s infrastructure plan is what this nation has been waiting for,” said Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn.
The Amtrak vision would expand or improve rail service for 20 million more riders. Amtrak also argues better rail service means cleaner air, less traffic, and happier people. See the fact sheet provided by Amtrak below.
“With this federal investment, Amtrak will create jobs and improve equity across cities, regions, and the entire country – and we are ready to deliver,” Flynn added. “America needs a rail network that offers frequent, reliable, sustainable and equitable train service. Now is our time, let’s make rail the solution.”
Additionally, the Northeast Corridor (NEC), a critical transportation link for the Northeast’s major metropolitan economies, has dozens of bridges, stations and tunnels that are beyond their design life and in need of immediate replacement or rehabilitation. If Congress provides the funding proposed in the President’s plan, Amtrak would be able to bring the NEC to a state of good repair and improve trip times, and would also expand Amtrak to underserved communities across the nation. This would create jobs, improve the quality of life, reduce carbon emissions, and generate economic growth.
“Amtrak must rebuild and improve the Northeast Corridor, our National Network and expand our service to more of America,” Flynn said. “The NEC’s many major tunnels and bridges – most of which are over a century old – must be replaced and upgraded to avoid devastating consequences for our transportation network and the country. In addition, Amtrak has a bold vision to bring energy-efficient, world-class intercity rail service to up to 160 new communities across the nation, as we also invest in our fleet and stations across the U.S.
