New pilot projects authorized by the FAST Act include allowing private operators to bid on operating three of Amtrak's 15 long-distance lines for up to eight years "provided they reduce the need for taxpayer support" and allowing pets on trains.

Among the changes in the five-year Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act that was signed by President Obama on December 4 are these two Amtrak pilot projects. First, allowing private rail operators to bid on long distance routes (PDF) that some say will "likely will always lose money":
"(P)otential competitors would submit an operating plan that includes steps to reduce taxpayer operating subsidies by 10% or more, while at least matching Amtrak’s performance," writes Andrew Tangel for The Wall Street Journal. If they "took over some Amtrak routes, it would mark a significant shift in how America’s national passenger railroad has been run since the federal government created it in 1970."
Private operators have already penetrated the commuter rail sector. "Herzog Transit Services Inc. operates Caltrain in the San Francisco Bay area (and) Transdev North America Inc. [formerly Veolia Transportation] runs the Tri-Rail line in South Florida," notes Tangel.
For fiscal 2015, which ended Sept. 30, Amtrak said the Northeast Corridor generated $479 million in adjusted operating surpluses, while its long-distance lines lost $495 million. Its state-supported routes, which generally run under 750 miles, reported $96 million in operating losses.
“I’m not sure what kind of interest we’re going to get from private-sector partners in this,” said Robert Puentes, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Joseph Boardman, Amtrak’s president and chief executive, expressed doubts competitors would wind up taking over the lines. He noted the steep expenses associated with running long-distance trains, including staffing the dining cars, refueling and sewer and water service.
Another pilot project authorized by the FAST Act will strike close to home for pet lovers. They have Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Madera, Calif.), no friend of California high-speed rail, to thank, or more precisely, his 15 pound French bulldog, Lily, according to Jennifer Scholtes, transportation reporter for POLITICO Pro.
Amtrak will have to dedicate at least one “pet car” on each train, where feasible, to allow passengers to transport kenneled pets either as carry-on or checked luggage. The rail operator is barred from using any federal funds to operate the program and is instead required to charge an extra pet fee to cover the cost.
He and Lily have been trying since 2013 to make Amtrak pet-friendly.
"Little-heralded changes" in the FAST Act are the focus of a New York Times piece, including changes to the 1998 interstate tolling pilot project.
Hat tip: Mark Boshnack
FULL STORY: Amtrak Faces Prospect of Private Competition

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.

Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.

Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland