President Biden announces $16.4 billion in funding for Northeast Corridor projects (updated)

Map of infrastructure projects on Northeast Corridor

BEAR, Del. — President Joe Biden announced that 25 Northeast Corridor projects will receive a total of $16.4 billion in funding in an appearance today at Amtrak’s maintenance facility in Bear, Del., near Wilmington. The funding comes from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Pasenger Rail Program. It includes $4.7 billion for the […]

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City of Mobile sends lease for Gulf Coast stop to Amtrak

Two women holding signs supporting Gulf Coast Amtrak service

MOBILE, Ala. — After months of waiting for completion by city of Mobile attorneys, an agreement has been sent to Amtrak for a land lease that would provide a stop for two daily passenger round-trips to New Orleans. The delay in finalizing the agreement, sent to Amtrak last week, is one factor that has pushed […]

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Republicans delay House vote on transportation spending bill

Trains Washington Watch logo

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives has delayed its planned vote on an appropriations bill for the Department of Transportation amid Republic concerns the bill would not pass, the website The Hill reports. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said during Thursday’s session that the House would try next week to pass H.R. 4820, to […]

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Amtrak board sets public meeting for Dec. 1 in Richmond, Va.

Man gesturing while speaking at podium

WASHINGTON — Richmond, Va.’s, newly-rehabilitated Main Street Station will host Amtrak’s once-yearly public Board of Directors meeting on Friday, Dec. 1. Unlike last year’s annual meeting at St. Louis Union Station, this year’s gathering will be preceded by presentations from Virginia and North Carolina passenger rail operating agencies, as well as Amtrak officials. The meeting […]

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Variable pricing begins on Amtrak Hiawathas

Train with four matching Siemens Venture passenger cars

MILWAUKEE — Amtrak’s Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha service will now feature variable ticket pricing, ending a flat fare of $25 that had been in effect since 2016. The new sliding fares of $19 to $31, based on demand and advanced purchase, are effective today (Nov. 1). They follow Amtrak’s nationwide adoption of a two-tiered pricing system; as […]

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‘Empire Builder’ disruptions triggered by snow, mechanical issues

Passenger train at station with snow on the ground.

CHICAGO — The Chicago-Seattle/Portland, Ore., Empire Builder is finally on the road to recovery after incurring significant challenges during the past week following a late October High Plains snowstorm and related issues. A series of delays throughout the week culminated in eastbound train No. 8 departing Seattle more than 5 hours late on Saturday, Oct. […]

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New Amtrak fare structure takes effect

Amtrak logo.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has launched the simplied fare structure announced earlier this month, moving from three categories of fares to two, the company said today (Friday, Oct. 27). The company had previously announced the new fare plan, but had not specified when it would take effect [see “Amtrak to implement two-tier fare structure: Analysis,” Trains […]

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Louisiana, Amtrak advance Baton Rouge-New Orleans rail project

Man speaking at podium with railroad office car in background

BATON ROUGE, La. — Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner joined outgoing Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Thursday to ink a service development agreement that is the first step in launching service between Baton Rouge, the state capital, and New Orleans. After a ceremony at New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, Gardner and Edwards, along with Amtrak […]

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