§22908 Restoration and enhancement grants

Summary

Creates a competitive grant program run by the Secretary of Transportation to pay part of the operating costs for starting, restoring, or improving intercity passenger rail service. Eligible applicants include states (and DC), groups of states, interstate compacts, public agencies set up by states, local government units, federally recognized tribes, Amtrak or other intercity rail carriers, railroads working with those public entities, and combinations of those groups. To apply, applicants must submit a capital and mobilization plan (what investments and actions are needed and when), an operating plan (who will run the trains, schedules, stations, ridership and cost estimates, equipment plans, and safety plans), a funding plan (how initial capital and the first 6 years of operations will be paid, a commitment to cover gaps not paid by federal grants or fares, and plans for after year 6), and the status of agreements with track owners, carriers, and other providers. The Secretary will give priority to projects that are nearly ready, restore former Amtrak routes, add daily or daytime service where none existed, include strong state/local/private funding or participation, show sustainability beyond the 3-year grant period, serve underserved areas, boost rural or disadvantaged communities, provide other public benefits, improve network coverage, or are Amtrak corridors chosen under the Corridor Identification and Development Program. Grants may fund a route for no more than 6 years and cannot be renewed, with no more than 6 grants active at once. Federal share limits are: Year 1—90%; Year 2—80%; Year 3—70%; Year 4—60%; Year 5—50%; Year 6—30% of projected net operating costs. Grants can be combined with other federal funds. Amtrak may have to give access to its stations, systems, and facilities and may be paid for that access. Grant recipients must sign agreements that require reporting like Amtrak does, may be paid in installments, and can lose funding if service stops or terms are broken. The Secretary must report to Congress within 4 years after the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015 was enacted on how the program is working, the status and performance of funded routes, recipients’ plans to continue service, and any legislative suggestions.