Passenger Rail

The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA) reauthorized the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, better known as Amtrak, and authorized several grant programs focused on intercity passenger rail, including Amtrak’s long-distance routes and the Northeast Corridor (NEC), state-sponsored corridors throughout the Nation, and the development of high-speed rail corridors.

The FRA administers grants to Amtrak for both operations and capital improvement.  PRIIA authorized three new Federal intercity passenger rail capital programs: Intercity Passenger Rail Service Corridor Capital Assistance; High Speed Rail Corridor Development; and Congestion Relief. These programs are in the process of being established. 

FRA also administers the Rail Line Relocation Program for rail improvement projects that involve a lateral or vertical line relocation and also mitigate the adverse effects of rail traffic on safety, motor vehicle traffic flow, community quality of life, or economic development. On occasion, grants are made with funding appropriated for specific projects or grantees.  Examples of such funding recipients have been the Alaska Railroad, CSX Transportation Inc., the Pennsylvania Station Redevelopment Authority, and various states. 

Grants are made with funding appropriated for specific projects or grantees.  Examples of such funding recipients have been the Alaska Railroad, CSX Transportation Inc., the Pennsylvania Station Redevelopment Authority, and various states. 

The Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Financing Program (RRIF) is also available and offers various loan enhancements. The Federal Highway Administration also administers the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Program (TIFIA) which is available for rail related projects. Funding is also available for research and development projects related to both passenger and freight rail.

For more information click on the links below:

Amtrak

Grant Program - Intercity Passenger Rail Investment

Rail Line Relocation Grant Program