Amtrak 2035 Expansion Worth $195 Billion to U.S. Economy

May 27, 2021

For Immediate Release (21-09)

Contact: Sean Jeans-Gail (202) 320-2723; [email protected]

Amtrak 2035 Expansion Worth $195 Billion to U.S. Economy

Washington, D.C. – The Rail Passengers Association applauded Amtrak’s Corridor Vision document released earlier today, which provides additional details on the railroad’s plan to bring service to over 160 new communities by 2035 by adding 39 new routes and enhancing 25 existing corridors. The document provides an initial cost estimate for building out the network and outlines the economic benefits of investing in modern, frequent train service.

“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 & 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.”

Amtrak estimates the cost for new stations, cars, locomotives, and the infrastructure upgrades to implement this vision by 2035 is approximately $75 billion, or $5 billion per year over 15 years. That cost, however, is dwarfed by the return on this investment in new jobs and increased economic output.

“The net economic benefit of this investment from operations is expected to reach $8 billion annually by 2035, with an additional $195 billion in economic activity generated by additional capital investments during 2021-2035,” stated Amtrak in its corridor vision document. “Over 26,000 ongoing permanent jobs, plus 616,000 person-years of temporary employment supported by capital investments during 2021-2035, will be created or supported by this effort.”

Rail Passengers will provide a series of regional breakdowns of Amtrak’s Corridor Vision over the coming weeks to help Americans better understand how this plan would benefit their communities.

About Rail Passengers Association

The Rail Passengers Association is the oldest and largest national organization serving as a voice for the more than 40 million rail passengers in the U.S. Our mission is to improve and expand conventional intercity and regional passenger train services, support higher speed rail initiatives, increase connectivity among all forms of transportation and ensure safety for our country's trains and passengers. All of this makes communities safer, more accessible and more productive, improving the lives of everyone who lives, works and plays in towns all across America.

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