Section 22214 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 tasks the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), under delegation from the Secretary of Transportation, with conducting an Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study to evaluate the restoration of daily intercity passenger rail service and the potential for new Amtrak long-distance routes. Under IIJA, FRA is required to conduct a study to assess the restoration of daily intercity rail passenger service along any Amtrak long-distance routes that were discontinued, as well as any Amtrak long-distance routes with nondaily service. In evaluating intercity passenger rail routes, FRA may assess potential new Amtrak long-distance routes. This includes routes in service as of April 1971 but not continued by Amtrak, taking into consideration whether those new routes would:

• Link and serve large and small communities as part of a regional rail network
• Advance the economic and social well-being of rural areas of the United States
• Provide enhanced connectivity for the national long-distance passenger rail system
• Reflect public engagement and local and regional support for restored passenger rail service

FRA has been engaging with and listening to stakeholders, including transportation and rail partners, federally recognized tribes, and communities, to evaluate how to better connect people with long-distance rail services. Stakeholder engagement for the Long-Distance Service Study began in September 2022 and will continue throughout 2023 and part of 2024. 

For more information on the Study, please visit the FRA Amtrak Daily Long Distance Service Study website.