By Justin Franz
WASHINGTON — Two months after it released a map depicting a bold vision for expansion over the next 15 years, Amtrak has published a detailed 76-page report of how it wants to make that dream a reality. The Amtrak Corridor Vision report gets into the nitty-gritty of what Amtrak wants to build by 2035 in an effort to expand service to more than 160 communities to move 20 million more passengers annually.
The plan specifically calls for the establishment of 39 new routes and enhancements on 25 existing routes. Amtrak officials said in order to make it happen, the federal government will need to invest $75 billion over the next 15 years. However, the price tag will come with economic benefits as well: Officials expect it to produce an economic benefit of $8 billion annually by 2035 and an additional $195 billion in economic activity generated by the capital investments between now and then. It will also create 26,000 permanent jobs.
“Now is the time to invest in our country’s infrastructure and future,” said Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn. “New and improved rail service has the ability to change how our country moves and provides cleaner air, less traffic and a more connected country.”
The map Amtrak released in March showing its vision for expansion over the next 15 years.
The plan specifically focuses on corridors that are 500 miles long or less. Among them are a route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Amtrak notes that while a private company, Brightline West, is already planning on building a high-speed rail route between those two cities, that service might not serve smaller communities in between. It could also take years for that new line to be completed, so Amtrak is proposing its own service now that will make at least two round trips per day. Further north, in Washington and Oregon, Amtrak would like to expand service on the Cascades route from four daily round trips between Portland and Seattle to 13 round trips. It would also increase the number of trips to Eugene, Ore., to the south and Vancouver, B.C. to the north.
In New England, it calls for expanding the Vermonter to Montreal, essentially reviving the Montrealer, which was discontinued in 1995. It would like to increase service between Boston and Albany, a route currently served by the long-distance Lake Shore Limited. And it would like to reduce the trip time between Boston and Brunswick, Maine, on the Downeaster, as well as provide seasonal service to Rockland. Amtrak also envisions five round trips per day between Boston and Concord, N.H. The plan also details expansions in the Midwest and Southeast.
The nation’s largest passenger rail advocacy group was quick to endorse the plan.
“This plan provides a realistic blueprint for expanding access to modern, energy-efficient passenger train service to 20 million additional Americans each year by 2035,” said Rail Passengers President and CEO Jim Mathews. “It’s critical that Congress take the necessary steps to support a strong rail program in any infrastructure bill. That means predictable and dedicated funding; a mechanism for ensuring that passengers get to their stations on time, free from freight train interference; and a streamlined process for launching new corridors.”
To read the entire report, visit AmtrakConnectsUs.com.
