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Tens of millions of people use Amtrak each year in America. This train service is widely available in 46 out of 50 states with more than 500 destinations.

Many folks find riding the train to be a budget-friendly alternative to driving around everywhere or constantly spending money on rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. As more Americans struggle to make expensive car payments and fill their gas tanks, the years ahead could see an uptick in people choosing public transportation options like trains.

Fiscal Year 2023 went pretty well for Amtrak. Nevertheless, the company is still seeking further outlets for growth and expansion. It is for this reason that Amtrak announced today new procedures to engender a 100% uptick in its riders by the time 2040 rolls around.

What Americans should know about changes coming to Amtrak

Earlier this afternoon, CEO Stephen Gardner put out a statement, declaring the company "rebounded" from setbacks during COVID and plans to keep the momentum going.

Central to this is the $5.5 billion that Amtrak will direct towards various tunnel projects spanning across New York City, downtown Baltimore, and other communities.

Funding from 2023's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes this investment - and the 3,500 rail services and construction jobs that Amtrak plans to add over the next 12 months - possible.

Roger Harris, the company's president, also released a public notice about the trajectory for this year. According to Harris, upgrading and contemporizing stations, infrastructure, tech, and trains are among the top priorities. In doing this, Amtrak also aims to guarantee that all its customers enjoy a higher quality of service going forward.

Corridor ID program changes the game of train travel

Moving ahead, the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor ID program is playing a critical role in Amtrak's plans to attract more riders. Under this agenda, Nashville, Phoenix, Columbus, and Mobile will join the list of US cities on the company's network.

While Amtrak works to hit its 2040 goal, the Corridor ID program is providing support and capital to additional rail services. In Nevada and California, railroad companies sans affiliation with Amtrak will collect billions in new funding.

This, too, is made attainable under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2023.