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.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.