Rail Passengers Endorse Food & Beverage Legislation

For Immediate Release (25-01)
Contact: Joe Aiello ([email protected])

Rail Passengers Association Endorses Rep. Cohen's Food & Beverage Legislation

Washington, D.C. -- Rail Passengers Association has endorsed two pieces of legislation introduced by Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) targeted at improving the passenger experience onboard Amtrak trains. The Train Furtherance of Outstanding Onboard Dining Act (Train FOOD Act) and the Train Establishment of Appetizing Table Service Act (Train EATS Act) both build on policies Rail Passengers worked with Congressional allies to include in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021.

“Many of us recall the civility and elegance of a meal in a train dining car. For too long, those days have been a thing of the past," said Rep. Cohen, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "But attracting passengers back to passenger train travel requires more than on-time service and a sandwich in a plastic carton. My Train FOOD and Train EATS bills will restore the service the public once expected and still deserves.”

“We believe that America’s passengers have a right to nutritious, complete food options onboard all trains—regardless of whether they board in Manhattan, New York or Newbern, Tennessee,” said Rail Passengers President Jim Mathews. “These two bills identify concrete steps to ensure those rights are met, and we thank Rep. Cohen for his leadership on behalf of the traveling public.”

The Train FOOD Act would require Amtrak to report annually on its progress toward implementing the Food and Beverage Working Group recommendations (established as part of the IIJA). If Amtrak decides not to implement a recommendation, it must justify that decision to Congress, including a cost estimate if appropriate. The bill also requires a GAO report on implementation status.

The Train EATS Act enshrines passenger-friendly practices into law, requiring Amtrak to:

• Allow coach passengers to access traditional (sit-down) dining on a space-available basis;
• Allow passengers to pre-order meals that meet their dietary requirements, as well as healthy meal options based on USDA guidelines; and
• Provide an affordable food option, such as the options currently provided through the café/lounge car.

Amtrak currently adheres to the above best-practices. However, prior Amtrak management limited passenger access to quality onboard food and beverage options, and our association believes this bill is a prudent step to ensure the protection of these rights for passengers in the future.

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About the Rail Passengers Association:

The 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.