Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study Explained

The Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to be completed by the Federal Railroad Administration. Its purpose is to evaluate the restoration and addition of discontinued and new long-distance passenger services, as well as the upgrading of tri-weekly long-distance services to daily operation.[1] [2] [3]

History

In November 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Section 22214 of the law orders the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to study the restoration of all long-distance Amtrak routes that had been discontinued, daily service on non-daily trains (the and), and the possibility of new long-distance routes—particularly those that were discontinued upon the formation of Amtrak.[4] The criteria for new routes under consideration is that they "link and serve large and small communities as part of a regional rail network", "advance the economic and social well-being of rural areas of the United States", "provide enhanced connectivity for the national long-distance passenger rail system", and "reflect public engagement and local and regional support for restored passenger rail service".

Work on the Long-Distance Service Study began in September 2022.

In April 2023, the FRA released information that they had successfully held a series of six working group meetings during the previous February where they met with stakeholders and worked to review the study's requirements and to evaluate discontinued services.[5] Included in the regional reports was information about current LD routes trip origin-destinatinaion pairs, as well as similar information for proposed routes.[6] Materials from the meetings indicated that the FRA was studying 18 discontinued long-distance Amtrak routes, as well as four that were discontinued on Amtrak's creation in 1971: the City of Miami, George Washington, Pan-American, and San Francisco Chief.

In August 2023, the FRA released their second round of meeting materials.[7]

In November 2023, the FRA released their interim report to congress describing their current progress in the study.[8]

In February 2024, the FRA released its third round of meeting materials which included a preferred draft network of fifteen new long-distance routes.[9] [10] The plan would increase the coverage of the long-distance Amtrak network by 23,200 route miles, reaching an additional 45 million population, 61 metropolitan statistical areas, 24 congressional districts, twelve National Park Service sites, and two states (Wyoming and South Dakota). Another round of public input will take place before the final set of actions are recommended to Congress in spring 2024.

Long-Distance Service Study draft preferred routes
DesignationRouteMiles (km)DurationHistoric analog
Chicago–MiamiChicago – IndianapolisLouisvilleNashvilleChattanooga – Atlanta – Macon – Jacksonville – Orlando – Miamidata-sort-value="1529"36 hrFloridian
Dallas/Fort Worth–MiamiDallas–Fort WorthShreveportBaton Rouge – New Orleans – MobilePensacolaTallahassee – Jacksonville – Miamidata-sort-value="1498"36 hr
Denver–HoustonDenverColorado SpringsTrinidadAmarilloDallas–Fort WorthBryan – Houstondata-sort-value="1096"26 hr
Los Angeles–Denver[11] Los Angeles – BarstowLas VegasSalt Lake CityCheyenneDenverdata-sort-value="1440"33 hrDesert Wind
Phoenix–Minneapolis/St. Paul[12] [13] [14] PhoenixFlagstaffAlbuquerqueAmarilloWichitaKansas City – Omaha – Sioux FallsMinneapolis–Saint Pauldata-sort-value="2186"48 hr
Dallas/Fort Worth–New York[15] Dallas–Fort WorthOklahoma CityTulsaSpringfieldSt. LouisIndianapolisCincinnatiColumbus – Pittsburgh – Philadelphia – New York Citydata-sort-value="1854"45 hrNational Limited
Houston–New YorkHouston – New Orleans – MobileMontgomery – Atlanta – ChattanoogaLynchburgWashington, D.C. – Philadelphia – New York Citydata-sort-value="1840"44 hrSoutherner
Seattle–Denver [16] [17] Seattle – Portland – BoisePocatelloSalt Lake CityGrand JunctionDenverdata-sort-value="1671"40 hrPioneer
San Antonio–Minneapolis/St. PaullSan AntonioDallas–Fort WorthTulsaKansas CityDes MoinesMinneapolis–Saint Pauldata-sort-value="1572"32 hrTwin Star Rocket
San Francisco–Dallas/Fort WorthSan Francisco – BakersfieldBarstowPhoenixTucsonEl PasoMidlandDallas–Fort Worthdata-sort-value="1911"43 hr
Detroit–New OrleansDetroitColumbusCincinnatiLouisvilleNashvilleBirminghamMontgomeryMobile – New Orleansdata-sort-value="1246"29 hrPan-American
Denver–Minneapolis/St. Paul[18] [19] DenverCheyenneRapid CityPierreSioux FallsMinneapolis–Saint Pauldata-sort-value="1136"26 hr
Seattle–Chicago[20] [21] [22] SeattleYakima – Spokane – SandpointHelenaBillingsBismarckFargoMinneapolis–Saint Paul – Milwaukee – Chicagodata-sort-value="2096"50 hrNorth Coast Hiawatha
Dallas/Fort Worth–AtlantaDallas–Fort WorthShreveportJacksonMeridianBirmingham – Atlantadata-sort-value="870"22 hr
El Paso–Billings El PasoLas CrucesAlbuquerqueTrinidadColorado SpringsDenverCheyenneCasperBillingsdata-sort-value="1393"31 hr

Notes

  1. Web site: Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240223075509/https://railroads.dot.gov/rail-network-development/planning/systems-planning/amtrak-daily-long-distance-service-study . 23 February 2024 . 23 February 2024 . Federal Railroad Administration.
  2. Web site: Johnston . Bob . 1 November 2022 . FRA launches passenger long-distance study site . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114122826/https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/fra-launches-passenger-long-distance-study-site/ . 14 January 2024 . 2024-02-25 . . en-US.
  3. Web site: Worrell . Carolina . 2 November 2022 . FRA Kicks Off Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230928181008/https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/fra-kicks-off-amtrak-daily-long-distance-service-study/ . 28 September 2023 . 28 September 2023 . Railway Age.
  4. Web site: Alan . David . 15 November 2021 . What's in the Infrastructure Package for Passenger Rail? (Updated) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211123004950/https://www.railwayage.com/news/whats-in-the-infrastructure-bill-for-passenger-rail/ . 23 November 2021 . 1 March 2024 . Railway Age.
  5. Web site: 6 April 2024 . FRA Holds Stakeholder Meetings to Study the Restoration and Expansion of Amtrak Long-Distance Passenger Rail Services . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230428233512/https://railroads.dot.gov/about-fra/communications/newsroom/press-releases/fra-holds-stakeholder-meetings-study-restoration-0 . 28 April 2023 . 1 March 2024 . Federal Railroad Administration.
  6. Web site: Johnston . Bob . 2023-04-02 . FRA look at Amtrak long-distance service yields wealth of data . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225234031/https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/fra-look-at-amtrak-long-distance-service-yields-wealth-of-data/ . 25 February 2024 . 2024-03-02 . . en-US.
  7. Web site: Vantuono . William . 14 August 2023 . Welcome to Amtrak Study Hall (UPDATED Aug. 14 with Additional Commentary) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230816194308/https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/welcome-to-amtrak-study-hall/ . 16 August 2023 . 1 March 2024 . Railway Age.
  8. Web site: November 2023 . Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study Interim Report to Congress . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240302020106/https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/2024-01/FRA%20Interim%20Report%20to%20Congress%201.16.24.pdf . 2 March 2024 . 1 March 2024 . Federal Railroad Administration.
  9. Web site: Alan . David . 21 February 2024 . FRA L-D Study Suggests Restored Routes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225234032/https://www.railwayage.com/freight/fra-l-d-study-suggests-restored-routes/ . 25 February 2024 . 1 March 2024 . Railway Age.
  10. Web site: Johnston . Bob . 2024-02-27 . FRA releases long-distance study interim report, invites comments . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229024119/https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/fra-releases-long-distance-study-interim-report-invites-comments/ . 29 February 2024 . 2024-03-02 . . en-US.
  11. Web site: Nielsen . Rob . 24 February 2024 . New details of ongoing study add to hopes for restored Amtrak service in Ogden . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226022100/https://www.standard.net/news/local/2024/feb/24/new-details-of-ongoing-study-add-to-hopes-for-restored-amtrak-service-in-ogden/ . 26 February 2024 . 2024-02-27 . . en-US.
  12. Web site: Mayer . Eric . 2024-02-19 . South Dakota makes updated proposed passenger rail map . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240220041320/https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/south-dakota-makes-updated-proposed-passenger-rail-map/ . 20 February 2024 . 2024-02-27 . . en-US.
  13. Web site: Branson . Carina . 2024-02-24 . FRA study: More Amtrak routes could be passing through Kansas . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225025622/https://www.ksn.com/news/fra-study-more-amtrak-routes-could-be-passing-through-kansas/ . 25 February 2024 . 2024-02-27 . . en-US.
  14. Web site: Seamer . Cooper . 2024-02-22 . Advocates: Proposed Amtrak service a big first step for South Dakota . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226105523/https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2024/02/22/advocates-proposed-amtrak-service-big-first-step-south-dakota/ . 26 February 2024 . 2024-02-27 . . en.
  15. Web site: Lattimer . Dustin . 2024-02-27 . Passenger rail study could bring Amtrak to the Four States . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240227033629/https://www.fourstateshomepage.com/local-news/joplin-news/passenger-rail-study-could-bring-amtrak-to-the-four-states/ . 27 February 2024 . 2024-02-27 . . en-US.
  16. Web site: Harris . Shelbie . 2022-11-12 . Support growing to put Amtrak Pioneer Route back on track . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221112223622/https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/support-growing-to-put-amtrak-pioneer-route-back-on-track/article_93ea0710-6232-11ed-bb4a-27e13a065a95.html . 12 November 2022 . 2024-02-27 . . en.
  17. Web site: Kidston . Martin . 2023-04-07 . Big Sky Passenger Rail hopeful as long-distance study advances . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230607083512/https://missoulacurrent.com/passenger-rail-study-2/ . 7 June 2023 . 2024-02-27 . Missoula Current . en.
  18. Web site: Louder . Tyler . 2024-02-22 . Railroad experts weigh in on South Dakotas inclusion on updated passenger rail map . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224114352/https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/railroad-experts-weight-in-on-south-dakotas-inclusion-on-updated-passenger-rail-map/ . 24 February 2024 . 2024-02-27 . . en-US.
  19. Web site: Underwood . Jack . 2024-02-26 . Amtrak line proposed in the Panhandle . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240227033606/https://starherald.com/news/local/government-politics/potential-amtrak-line-panhandle/article_12c007c6-d4d6-11ee-a0c4-039897f31b34.html . 27 February 2024 . 2024-02-27 . . en.
  20. Web site: Kidston . Martin . 2022-12-23 . Federal Railroad Admin to Big Sky Passenger Rail: Stay engaged as study moves forward . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230927181808/https://missoulacurrent.com/passenger-rail-study/ . 27 September 2023 . 2024-02-27 . Missoula Current . en.
  21. Web site: Eggert . Amanda . 2023-12-18 . What's next in the push to restore southern Montana's passenger rail service . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240222195258/https://montanafreepress.org/2023/12/18/whats-next-in-the-push-to-restore-southern-montanas-passenger-rail-service/ . 22 February 2024 . 2024-02-27 . . en-US.
  22. Web site: Eggert . Amanda . 2024-02-21 . Long-distance rail route through southern Montana garners another nod from feds . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226011658/https://montanafreepress.org/2024/02/21/long-distance-rail-route-through-southern-montana-garners-another-nod-from-feds/ . 26 February 2024 . 2024-02-27 . . en-US.

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