WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) has introduced legislation aimed at improving dining on Amtrak trains.
H.R. 265, the Train Furtherance of Outstanding Onboard Dining act (Train FOOD Act) would require the company to report annual on progress toward implementing recommendations from the Food and Beverage Working Group created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. That group includes representatives from Amtrak, state partners, onboard workers, and passenger advocates. The bill would require Amtrak to justify decisions not to implement the group’s recommendations, including a cost estimate if appropriate. It would also require a Government Accountability Office report on implementation.
H.R. 264, the Train Establishment of Appetizing Table Service Act (Train EATS Act) would require that coach passengers be able to access traditional dining on long-distance trains on a space-available basis; an affordable food option, currently filled by the café/lounge car; and allow passengers to pre-order meals that meet their dietary requirements, as well as healthy meal options based on USDA guidelines.
“Many of us recall the civility and elegance of a meal in a train dining car,” Cohen said in a press release. “For too long, those days have been a thing of the past. But attracting passengers back to passenger train travel requires more than on-time service and a sandwich in a plastic carton. My Train FOOD and Train EATS bills will restore the service the public once expected and still deserves.”
Both bills were introduced and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Jan. 9, 2025. Text for the bills has not yet been recorded to the Congress website.
Gotta wonder bow those pathetic Amtrak shills at the NARP/ RPA are going to sugarcoat this.
And explain why it takes congressional legislation to get “Steve”, [Gardner] “Tony”,[ Coscia] , and “Roger”[Harris] to do the right things by their customers?
It’s stunning just how much the Association lives in people’s heads rent free that you immediately have to comment about how terrible Rail Passengers is instead of talking about the progress being made with these bills (because that’s how government works, and Amtrak works for Congress who, in turn, works for us.
So how is the Association going to “sugar coat” this? Maybe by pointing out that the IIJA provision that created the FBWG was written by former Comms Director Ned Butler – who was also the lead author of the recommendations report that these bills are forcing Amtrak to respond to on a yearly basis.
Pretty sad that acts of Congress are needed. Also pretty sad that a Congress that can’t run the country rots our brains with acronyms.
Why not waste all our Sunday Afternoon on new acronyms.
Must Order Railroad Offer New Services
dinning/food service will traving a better ride, food service never made money it part of the service.
Phil,
Penn Central actually kept a decent dining service on their version of the “Broadway” for several years. I know because I rode it.
Correct. The April 30, 1971 Broadway had the twin-unit diner and the usual menu, as did the first Amtrak Broadway the next day, with a notation on the menu that the service was being provided by PC for the NRPC.
The apparent necessity for this level of micromanagement bothered me, so I will advocate for the WATER act: “We approved these executives, right?” Or maybe the SLEEP act: “Sleepers lack enough ecru pillows.” Just having fun with acronyms, but it’s really not so funny.
This flies in the face of the Penn Central policy of NY-Chicago with only a Snack Bar Coach.
How about this:
Amtrak must supply passengers with ample and suitable tables and adjacent seating in all food service cars to allow them to sit down and enjoy their meals, snacks and beverages while onboard their trains.