Rail Passengers Oppose White House Call to Cut Rail and Transit

For Immediate Release (26-03)
April 3, 2026
Contact: Joe Aiello ([email protected])

Rail Passengers Association Warns Presidential Budget Proposal Would Undermine Progress on Upgrading Passenger Rail and Transit System

Washington, DC — The Rail Passengers Association today expressed deep concern over the Trump Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Presidential Budget Request, released today, which proposes a major increase in military spending offset by significant cuts to domestic programs—including steep reductions to public transportation and intercity passenger rail.

While the budget request includes $26.6 billion in discretionary budget authority for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)—a $1.6 billion (6.2%) increase over FY2026 enacted levels—the bulk of new funding is directed to highways and aviation. Transit and intercity passenger rail programs would see meaningful reductions.

“At a time of record highs for gas prices and airfare, the Trump Administration is proposing cuts to the intercity rail and transit programs that have been helping Americans stay connected to work, to school, and to family,” said Jim Mathews, President & CEO of the Rail Passengers Association. “This budget moves the nation in the wrong direction for affordability, mobility, and safety.”

Key Budgetary Impacts on Rail and Transit

Under the President’s FY2027 request:

• Amtrak funding drops to $2.1 billion—down from $2.427 billion in FY2026, a 13.5% decrease
  • Amtrak National Network: $1.45 billion (down from $1.577 billion)
  • Amtrak Northeast Corridor (NEC): $650 million (down from $850 million)
• Funding to the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP) Program is eliminated, reduced to $0 from $65 million in FY2026 discretionary funding, despite strong bipartisan support and national demand.
• Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) funding is nearly doubled to $300 million, up from $137 million in FY2026 (a figure which included earmarks)
• The Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program is cut nearly in half, from $2.45 billion in FY2026 to $1.25 billion in FY2027

A Looming Investment Cliff

The proposed cuts become even more severe when factoring in the expiration of Advance Appropriations under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) at the end of FY2026. Including those expiring funds, the budget would result in the following year-over-year drops:

• Amtrak National Network: $4.8 billion → $1.45 billion
• Amtrak NEC: $2.0 billion → $600 million
• High-Speed Rail Grants: $900 million → $0
• Federal-State Partnership (total): $3.8 billion → $1.4 billion

“These reductions represent a dramatic step backward just as states and regions are delivering new service, modernizing aging infrastructure, and responding to unprecedented demand for rail,” Mathews said. “Slashing funding to proven grant programs pulls the rug out from projects already underway.”

Rail Program Summary (Discretionary)

Take Action

Rail Passengers is urging Congress to reject cuts to passenger rail and public transportation and to fully fund programs that deliver affordable, energy efficient, and reliable mobility for communities nationwide.

“Congress has repeatedly recognized the value of passenger rail to economic growth, safety, and energy independence,” Mathews said. “We call on lawmakers to continue that bipartisan commitment and ensure Americans don’t lose vital transportation options.”

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About the Rail Passengers Association: with 127,000 members, donors, and supporters, the non-profit Rail Passengers Association is the oldest and largest national organization serving as a voice for the more than 40 million rail passengers in the U.S. Our mission is to improve and expand conventional intercity and regional passenger train services, support higher speed rail initiatives, increase connectivity among all forms of transportation, and ensure safety for our country's trains and passengers. All of this makes communities safer, more accessible, and more productive, improving the lives of everyone who lives, works, and plays in towns all across America.