TESTIMONY: Progress and Opportunities in Amtrak's Implementation of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss Amtrak’s efforts to provide higher quality, more cost-effective intercity rail transportation services. The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA) reauthorized Amtrak and strengthened the U.S. passenger rail network by tasking Amtrak, the Department of Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration, states, and others to improve operations and services. PRIIA also assigned Amtrak a clear mission: “To provide efficient and effective intercity passenger rail mobility consisting of high-quality service that is trip-time competitive with other intercity travel options.”