On Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced it would be making available more than $153 million in funding for intercity passenger rail service.
The funding, part of the Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) Grant program will help with operating costs for projects that establish new service routes, or restore service on existing routes for intercity passenger operations. The passenger rail upgrades will complement dozens of major rail projects underway across the country and improve intercity passenger rail service, officials said.
“The quality of our intercity passenger rail services has a major impact not only on the experiences of millions of riders but also on the economic vitality of our communities as well as our efforts to combat climate change,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “Safer, more frequent, and more accessible passenger rail services—made possible with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law–will expand travel and commuting options, creating newly efficient and sustainable opportunities to get around the country.”
The R&E program covers things like operating costs, station costs, customer information and train dispatching services, up to the first six years of service for newly initiated, restored or enhanced passenger rail operations while the service build up their ridership and bolster their revenues.
“The R&E Program plays a vital role in bringing world-class passenger rail service to all Americans by improving rider satisfaction and making possible new routes and services that will meet the needs of citizens across the country,” FRA Administrator Amit Bose said. “Through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FRA is helping to ensure the success of new and expanded intercity passenger rail services that will have a major impact on the safety and efficiency of our transportation networks and the quality of life of local communities for generations to come.”
The Notice of Funding Opportunity applications are due 75 days after its publication in the Federal Register. Program requirements as well as selection and evaluation criteria are outlined in the NOFO.