WASHINGTON — Amtrak officials are saying the national passenger carrier is on the “road to recovery” after Congress passed a pandemic relief bill that included $1.7 billion for Amtrak. The infusion of cash, along with increasing demand, will allow Amtrak to restore daily train service to 12 long-distance routes starting in May. The railroad will also start recalling more than 1,200 employees that were furloughed last fall when it began reducing long-distance service on most routes to just three days a week. 

According to Amtrak, long-distance service will resume in three phases. On May 24, the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, California Zephyr and Texas Eagle will commence daily schedules. On May 31, the Capitol Limited, City of New Orleans, Lake Shore Limited and Southwest Chief will come back to full strength. And on June 7, the Crescent, Palmetto, Silver Meteor and Silver Star will all come back to a daily schedule. The Cardinal and Sunset Limited will remain tri-weekly as was done before the pandemic. The Auto Train was the only train that did not see its schedule reduced. 

In a statement to media on Wednesday, CEO Bill Flynn said that the funding would help restore Amtrak to its pre-pandemic state and set it up for future growth. With an Amtrak-friendly administration in the White House, it appears that the national carrier plans on taking full advantage of it. 

“This critical funding will benefit the entire Amtrak network, our state and commuter partners, customers and employees,” Flynn said. “We will work closely with Congress and the Biden Administration on the next steps for funding to support Amtrak’s long-term growth. Funding options include expanding the Amtrak network through new corridor routes, that will create thousands of new jobs, reducing our nation’s carbon footprint, and helping the economy recover and flourish in the years ahead.”

The American Rescue Plan was passed by the U.S. Senate on Saturday and the House of Representatives on Wednesday. President Joe Biden is expected to sign it on Friday. It included funding for Amtrak and a prevision authored by Montana Sen. Jon Tester requiring the railroad to restore daily long-distance service. Tester, a Democrat, has long championed the importance of the Empire Builder to Montana’s remote Hi-Line region. 

“Folks on the Hi-Line depend on Amtrak to stay connected, and its full return will boost the economy and create good-paying jobs across the region,” Tester said.