Amtrak has released its plan to improve and expand rail services across the U.S.
It’s a response to the American Jobs Plan, which was unveiled by President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
It includes 30 new routes, including services to cities like Savannah, Nashville and Las Vegas.
It also includes enhancements to more than 20 routes, including one from Jacksonville.
Amtrak released the following statement on the American Jobs Plan:
“President Biden released his American Jobs Plan on Wednesday, that included plans for infrastructure investment, economic recovery, climate change, and social equity, and $80 billion designated specifically for rail. Amtrak’s vision to grow rail service and connect new city pairs across America ... rises to the urgent challenges of our time, and will provide new and improved train service to millions of additional passengers. Additionally, the Northeast Corridor (NEC), a critical transportation link for the Northeast’s major metropolitan economies, has dozens of bridges, stations and tunnels that are beyond their design life and in need of immediate replacement or rehabilitation. If Congress provides the funding proposed in the President’s plan, Amtrak would be able to bring the NEC to a state of good repair and improve trip times, and would also expand Amtrak to underserved communities across the nation. This would create jobs, improve the quality of life, reduce carbon emissions, and generate economic growth.”
Additionally, Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn released the following statement:
“President Biden’s infrastructure plan is what this nation has been waiting for. Amtrak must rebuild and improve the Northeast Corridor, our National Network and expand our service to more of America. The NEC’s many major tunnels and bridges – most of which are over a century old – must be replaced and upgraded to avoid devastating consequences for our transportation network and the country. In addition, Amtrak has a bold vision to bring energy-efficient, world-class intercity rail service to up to 160 new communities across the nation, as we also invest in our fleet and stations across the U.S. With this federal investment, Amtrak will create jobs and improve equity across cities, regions, and the entire country – and we are ready to deliver. America needs a rail network that offers frequent, reliable, sustainable and equitable train service. Now is our time, let’s make rail the solution.”
Cox Media Group
