Amtrak in Dire Financial Straits, Seeking More Federal Relief Funding

Amtrak officials say they need $4.9 billion in funding to prevent service and job losses.

1 minute read

September 15, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Amtrak Train

John H Gray / Flickr

David Shepardson reports for Reuters on the financial state of Amtrak, where officials are asking Congress for $4.9 billion in additional funding to make ends meet during the pandemic. 

Amtrak Chief Executive William Flynn went before Congress earlier this month to to request the additional funding, warning that the intercity rail system could  face service and job cuts without the funding. Amtrak typically receives $2 billion in funding support from the U.S. government, according to Shepardson.

An earlier article by Pranshu Verma, written for The New York Times, also digs deeper into the pandemic context for Amtrak, comparing it to the U.S. Postal Service as a service provided by the government. 

"For Amtrak, the coronavirus pandemic has not only slashed ridership and any chances of breaking even, it has also forced its leaders to face an existential choice: act like a for-profit airline or a government-subsidized entity," writes Verma. 

Verma also provides more details on the specifics of the financial challenges facing Amtrak since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus earlier this year: "Since March, ridership on the national rail agency has fallen by 95 percent and projected revenue for 2021 has declined by 50 percent." 

As noted in booth articles, Congress has already sent $1 billion in emergency funds to Amtrak, but Amtrak has been asking for more assistance since May.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 in Reuters via St. Louis Post-Dispatch

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City