Passenger Rail

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) actively supports the development of the nation's intercity rail passenger system.  FRA develops and implements Administration policy regarding the nation's intercity passenger rail systems and sponsors passenger rail improvements and services. FRA has provided oversight and administered Federal grants to the nation’s intercity passenger rail system since the Federal government relieved private rail carriers of their obligation to provide passenger rail service in 1970. The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, which reauthorizes Amtrak for five years, affirms Federal involvement in developing the nation’s intercity passenger rail system. FRA's passenger rail activities include:

• Administering Federal grants to Amtrak ;
  
• Supporting the Secretary of Transportation in her capacity as a member of Amtrak's board of directors;
  
• Providing guidance and analysis of intercity passenger rail services and high-speed rail (HSR);
  
• Administering Federal grants to States for intercity passenger rail capital improvement projects and HSR development; and
  
• Administering Federal grants to the Alaska Railroad .

The FRA’s Office of Passenger and Freight Programs in the Office of Railroad Development provides financial assistance, quantitative analysis, environmental research, project reviews, research and development, technical assistance, and supports development of intercity passenger rail policy. The Office of Railroad Development is also responsible for overseeing the development of HSR in the United States. The Office of Passenger and Freight Programs studies potential high-speed rail corridors across the country, provides technical assistance for high-speed rail planning, and conducts environmental reviews of high-speed rail projects. The Office also administers grants for the design and planning of high-speed magnetic levitation (maglev) train systems.

The Program Implementation Division administers intercity passenger rail related Federal grants to Amtrak, States, and rail line operators through various grant programs. As projects for new or improved passenger rail service advance through the planning stages, technical expertise and guidance is provided for systems, rail line, station, and rolling stock design and also for environmental documentation. In addition, the division implements the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as they relate to movement of passengers by rail in the United States. Guidance concerning level boarding platforms and use of Segways is included on the ADA page .

The Intercity Passenger Rail Analysis Division prepares studies on the U.S. passenger rail system and assesses Amtrak’s operations and performance levels. The division provides a wide-spectrum of industry analysis including: finance, train operations and services, ridership, routes, and corridor improvement plans.

The Innovative Finance Division provides loans to passenger rail operators and States through the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program (RRIF). Although focused on freight, these loans can support passenger rail investments (e.g. new equipment and upgraded infrastructure).

The Office of Research and Development conducts research, development, tests, and evaluation projects to support the nation’s passenger rail system. It contributes knowledge for the safety regulatory processes benefiting railroad suppliers, intercity passenger and commuter railroads, railroad employees, labor organizations and the public at-large. FRA-owned facilities and vehicles provide the infrastructure necessary to conduct experiments and test theories, concepts, and new technologies.