Amtrak's ambitious new route map and the push for Biden's infrastructure plan
Laying claim to President Joe Biden's $2 trillion plan to modernize transportation infrastructure, Amtrak has released an ambitious proposal to greatly expand ridership with new routes and enhancements to existing routes.
With the announcement, Amtrak released a map showing the increasingly interconnected web of routes its proposal would serve.
According to an Amtrak release first shared on Twitter, the proposal would spend $80 billion of the more than $2 trillion total proposed by the Biden plan for bridges, roads, public transportation, ports, airports and electric vehicle infrastructure, and allow for an additional 20 million annual riders by introducing 30 new routes and enhancing 20 existing routes.
Related: Biden unveils major new infrastructure plan
The list of unserved cities that would get new service in Amtrak's proposal includes both burgeoning metropolises like Louisville, Kentucky; Phoenix; Asheville, North Carolina; Las Vegas and Nashville, but also smaller cities like Duluth, Minnesota and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Meanwhile, established cities like Detroit, Houston and Atlanta would see enhanced service.
Related: Amtrak's new high-speed train cars
According to the rail organization, the new routes would connect an additional 160 communities in diverse areas of the U.S., allowing it to catch up to the changing face of the U.S.
The Rail Passenger Association issued a statement in support of the Biden plan, and said:
"Make no mistake: the steely knives are already out from opponents of rail. Now will be the time we advocates will have to work harder than we ever have – harder than we did to save the Southwest Chief, harder than we did to restore daily service. But the payoff in multiple new services and maybe even hundreds of new communities served by Amtrak's long-distance Network could truly be transformative for passenger rail in this country."
The announcement also gives voice to environmentalists, increasingly concerned with the transportation pollution problem. Amtrak points out that expanding its service would be more energy-efficient, suggesting train travel is cleaner than either driving or flying. Amtrak says train travel is "up to 83 percent more energy-efficient than driving and up to 73% more energy-efficient than flying."
Related: Amtrak plans to expand new nonstop Acela service from New York
Amtrak also says the new routes would fill in transportation gaps left open by existing options.
In addition to added routes, Amtrak's proposal calls for improvements to on-time passenger travel by streamlining existing processes for accessing freight rail lines and new enforcement for preference over freight trains.
Still, not everyone is a believer in Amtrak's ambitious future. Critics point out Amtrak is suggesting the creation of new low-performing extensions to places, such as Cheyenne, Wyoming, with very low demand.
Related: Acela business class review
Related: Acela first class review
The route map appears aimed at getting some Republican sign-off with key lines added in several red states, including Kansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi and Indiana. It's unclear if that will be enough to get Biden's infrastructure bill through Congress with bipartisan support.
Already, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to oppose the broader bill. He said it won't get any Republican votes. He said, "It's called infrastructure, but inside the Trojan horse it's going to be more borrowed money, and massive tax increases on all the productive parts of our economy."
Related: Your ultimate guide to Amtrak Guest Rewards
The suggested new map will likely look much different in the future if the $621 billion Biden is proposing is approved by Congress.
Additional reporting by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees