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Amtrak spars with freight train industry over rules of the railroad

Sep 10, 2024
In a rare lawsuit, the Justice Department is trying to make freight lines comply with policy giving preference to Amtrak trains on the tracks.
Amtrak relies on freight rail lines for many of its routes, but it says freight companies often prevent its trains from running on time.
Henry Epp/Marketplace

On the train from LA to Portland, Amtrak's ride-or-dies make the case for passenger rail

Aug 12, 2024
The Northeast Corridor gets most of the love — and money — from Washington. But rail fans in the rest of the country love their lines, too.
Hour three of 30. Passengers admire the ocean view on the Amtrak train through coastal California while National Park Service volunteer Ed Leska explains what they're seeing.
Caleigh Wells/Marketplace

More private companies are investing in passenger rail — here's why

Aug 28, 2023
Passenger rail needs a public subsidy to work, experts say.
Private company Brightline planned to extend its passenger rail line in Florida, but this extension has been delayed.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Amtrak wants $3.6 billion in subsidies. It probably won't get all of that

Mar 31, 2023
It's asking for 50% more funding than it received for the current fiscal year.
The rail service provider asked for a whopping $3.6 billion this fiscal year from Congress, which is more than it has ever gotten in its 50-plus years.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Northeast would see lion's share of new rail funding

Aug 11, 2021
The bill includes a fresh $66 billion for passenger and freight rail, the biggest investment the federal government has made in railroads since Amtrak was founded in 1971.
Amtrak, a favorite mode of transportation for President Joe Biden, will see a massive bump in funding thanks to the infrastructure bill.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Amtrak needs another bailout to stay afloat

Sep 29, 2020
Amtrak is planning to scale back many of its long-distance routes.
A passenger walks next to a departing Amtrak train at Union Station in Washington, D.C.
Rob Carr/Getty Images

Amtrak says it had its best year in company history

Nov 11, 2019
After years of being the subject of congressional ire, the federally subsidized company is almost at the point of breaking even.
Passengers board an Amtrak train at New York City's Pennsylvania Station.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Penn Station is a drag for commuters and the economy

May 23, 2017
Delays at the train depot ripple through the economy of the entire East Coast, an expert says.
Evening commuters make their way toward a New Jersey Transit train platform at Penn Station in New York City.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Amtrak cracking down on baggage policy

Sep 28, 2015
The company allows up to 250 pounds of luggage, but riders bring even more aboard.

A day after crash, a vote to cut Amtrak funding

May 13, 2015
Amtrak says it has a $52 billion maintenance backlog on its Northeast Corridor.