Amtrak Account Structure Overview:

Methodology and Definitions

Federal Railroad Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

Last Update: October 2018
2 

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................3

2 Amtrak Account Structure ................................................................................................................................4

2.1 Goals and Principles ...............................................................................................................................4

2.2 Account Structure Hierarchy ..................................................................................................................4

2.3 Account Structure Reporting ..................................................................................................................8

APPENDIX A – Definitions ....................................................................................................................................14
3 

1 INTRODUCTION

Section 11201 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (P.L. 114-94, enacted 

December 4, 2015) directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary), in consultation with Amtrak, to 

“define an account structure and improvements to accounting methodologies, as necessary, to support, at 

a minimum, the Northeast Corridor and the National Network.” Section 11201 directs Amtrak to 

implement the Account Structure and report monthly financial information under the Account Structure. 

The provisions of Section 11201 are codified at 49 U.S.C. § 24317. 

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), on behalf of the Secretary, and in collaboration with Amtrak, 

established an account and reporting structure (Account Structure) in May 2016.1 FRA and Amtrak started 

with common goals, principles, and definitions to establish a common foundation. 

The creation of the Account Structure is one of many steps to meet FAST Act requirements associated 

with Amtrak and cooperatively organize how Amtrak reports its financial activities. The new Amtrak 

Account Structure is an important step toward more effective management of costs and revenues and 

increased accounting transparency for all of Amtrak’s stakeholders. The Account Structure is intended to 

provide a comprehensive view of Amtrak’s financial information to better inform Amtrak’s decisionmaking process and more clearly communicate to Congress, States, train travelers and partners on 

Amtrak’s business priorities and financial performance. 

This document summarizes (and in some cases, updates) the definitions and accounting methodology 

previously transmitted to Congress in May 2016. In June 2018, FRA and Amtrak assessed the Account 

Structure and provided recommendations for further improvement.2 As Amtrak continues to improve its 

reporting process around the new structure, there will be more issues to resolve. FRA and Amtrak will 

continue to communicate changes to Congress and other stakeholders as the implementation process 

progresses.

 

1 See Account Structure Definition and Accounting Methodology Improvements to Address Section 11201 of the FAST Act of 

2015, May 3, 2016. Available online at: https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L19707. 2 See Account Structure Assessment and Recommendations in Accordance with Section 11201 of the FAST Act of 2015, June 

25, 2018. Available online at: https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L19708. 
4 

2 AMTRAK ACCOUNT STRUCTURE

2.1 Goals and Principles

Section 11201 establishes separate accounts for the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and the National Network 

(NN) and directs the Secretary, in consultation with Amtrak, to develop an Account Structure to support 

this framework. Per Section 11201, the purpose of the Account Structure is to “promote the effective use 

and stewardship by Amtrak of Amtrak revenues, Federal, State, and third party investments, 

appropriations, grants and other forms of financial assistance, and other sources of funds; and...enhance 

the transparency of the assignment of revenues and costs among Amtrak’s business lines while ensuring 

the health of the Northeast Corridor and National Network.” During the initial stages of defining the 

Account Structure, FRA and Amtrak jointly agreed on goals for the Account Structure and defined 

principles to be followed in pursuit of these goals. 

2.2 Account Structure Hierarchy 

2.2.1 Service Lines and Asset Lines

Amtrak performs a range of business activities for its customers in different capacities. Amtrak’s 

customers include intercity rail passengers and public and private sector entities that contract for, partner 

with, or invest in Amtrak’s business activities. To address the needs of Amtrak’s customers and meet the 

FAST Act requirements, FRA and Amtrak grouped Amtrak’s business activities into Service Lines.3

Service Lines share a common mission and core customers. 

 

3 Section 11203 identifies four Business Lines (Northeast Corridor train services; State Supported routes operated by Amtrak; Long-distance routes operated 

by Amtrak and Ancillary services operated by Amtrak) and four Asset Categories (Infrastructure, Passenger Rail Equipment, Stations, National Assets) that 

are also cross-referenced in Section 11201(e). FRA and Amtrak determined that the term Service Lines better reflects the purpose and activities performed by 

the components of the corporation that Congress identified as Business Lines. Similarly, Amtrak determined that the term Asset Lines is a better representation 

of what Congress identified as Asset Categories. FRA and Amtrak use the term Business Lines more broadly to include both Amtrak’s Service and Asset 

Lines. FRA uses the terms Service Lines and Asset Lines in place of statutory language throughout this document. 

Goals

• Promote the effective use and 

stewardship by Amtrak of Amtrak 

revenues, Federal, State, and third party 

investments, appropriations, grants and 

other forms of financial assistance, and 

other sources of funds 

• Enhance the transparency of the 

assignment of revenues and costs among 

Amtrak business lines while ensuring the 

health of the Northeast Corridor and 

National Network 

Principles

• Provide understandable information to 

investors, customers and Amtrak to make fully 

informed business decisions

• Account for all of Amtrak’s activities and 

assets with clarity and consistency

• Fully integrate the objectives of Title XI of the 

FAST Act and support the planning and 

internal control requirements for Sections 

11201, 11202 and 11203 of the FAST Act 

• Request the right amount of information, but 

no more 

• Maximize efficiency of implementation by 

leveraging existing resources
5 

While Section 11203 called for four Business Lines (referred to as Service Lines by FRA and Amtrak), 

FRA and Amtrak determined that to fully reflect the whole of Amtrak’s business, an additional Service 

Line should be added – Infrastructure Access. Infrastructure Access has a specific mission and serves 

different customers than those served by other Service Lines. For these reasons, FRA and Amtrak agreed 

to establish Infrastructure Access as a new Service Line. 

The mission and primary customers for each of the Service Lines are shown in Figure 1. 

Figure 1. Amtrak Service Lines

Service Lines are responsible for meeting the needs of the respective customers to fulfill their mission. 

• NEC: Provides premium and regular intercity rail passenger service along the NEC while 

seeking to maximize operating surplus. Its primary customers are intercity train travelers on the 

NEC. 

• State Supported: Provides intercity rail passenger service and supporting services under contract 

to States on corridor routes of not more than 750 miles. Its primary customers are State 

departments of transportation and authorities, and intercity travelers on State Supported Routes. 

• Long Distance: Provides intercity rail passenger service on routes of more than 750 miles. Its 

primary customers are travelers and communities across the National Network and the Federal 

government. 

• Infrastructure Access: Plans, develops, manages, and provides access to users of Amtrak-owned 

or Amtrak-controlled infrastructure. Its primary customers are commuter and freight railroads, 

the Federal government, and third-parties such as States and localities, utilities, and others that 

seek to make use of Amtrak’s infrastructure and fixed assets. 

• Ancillary Services: Competes to operate commuter rail services, performs reimbursable work for 

States and railroads, and leverages Amtrak owned real-estate and commercial assets. Its primary 

customers are commuter and freight railroads, and various entities in the public and private sectors. 
6 

For more information about Service Line definitions, see Appendix A, “Service Lines.” 

Service Lines are supported by five Asset Lines: Transportation, Passenger Rail Equipment (Equipment),4

Infrastructure, Stations, and National Assets and Corporate Services. Asset Lines provide resources and 

deliver transportation and related services to the Service Lines. The FAST Act established four Asset 

Categories (referred to as Asset Lines by FRA and Amtrak). As with Service Lines, FRA and Amtrak 

believed it was necessary to establish a fifth Asset Line – Transportation.5 This important function was 

not reflected in the statutorily-defined four Asset Categories. 

• Transportation: Assets related to the operation and movement of the trains, on-board services 

and amenities. 

• Equipment: Amtrak-controlled rolling stock, locomotives, and mechanical shop facilities that 

are used to maintain and overhaul equipment. 

• Infrastructure: All Amtrak-controlled Northeast Corridor infrastructure assets and other Amtrakcontrolled infrastructure, along with the associated facilities that support the operation, 

maintenance and improvement of those assets. 

• Stations: All passenger rail stations served by Amtrak trains, with a focus on Amtrak-controlled 

stations and elements of other stations for which Amtrak has legal responsibility or where it 

intends to make capital investments.

• National Assets and Corporate Services: Cross-cutting assets such as systems for reservations, 

security, training, training centers, and others associated with Amtrak’s national rail passenger 

transportation system. Corporate Services include company-wide functions such as legal, 

finance, government affairs, human resources, and information technology. It should be noted 

that Section 11203 also requires the Secretary to conduct a review of Amtrak’s National Asset 

Costs. 

For more information about Asset Line definitions, see Appendix A, “Asset Lines.” 

In addition to its core functions, each Service Line and Asset Line requires strategic and operational 

leadership, management, and administrative support to carry out their functions. For Service Lines, these 

expenses are defined as Service Line Management and may include planning, administration, business 

development, contract management, and support functions specific to the Service Line’s mission. 

2.2.2 Mapping Service Lines to Account Structure

Section 11201 requires that the financial information regarding these Service Lines be split into two 

accounts: the Northeast Corridor Account (NEC Account) and National Network Account (NN Account). 

The NEC Service Line maps to the NEC Account; the State Supported and the Long Distance Service 

Lines map to the NN Account. 

Two of the five Service Lines – Infrastructure Access and Ancillary Services – are split between the NEC 

and NN Accounts as shown in Figure 2. The mapping of Amtrak Service Lines to the NEC and NN

Accounts yields a conceptual design for the Account Structure as shown in Figure 3. The purpose of the 

 

4 Section 11203(c)(1) identifies Asset Categories (referred to by FRA and Amtrak as Asset Lines). The Asset Line Passenger Rail Equipment is also referred 

to throughout this document as Equipment. FRA and Amtrak understand that these terms have the same meaning. 

5 The Transportation Asset Line was originally defined as the Train Operations Asset Line in May 2016. At Amtrak’s request, it was subsequently changed to 

Transportation Asset Line in March 2018 to be consistent with the differing roles of Amtrak’s Operations and Commercial groups.
7 

Account Structure is to provide a comprehensive and complete view of all Amtrak’s business activities 

across both Service Lines and Asset Lines. 

Figure 2. Alignment of Amtrak Service Lines to Accounts 

Figure 3. Amtrak Conceptual Account Structure 

Utilizing this conceptual Account Structure hierarchy, the following section explains the Account 

Structure in detail.
8 

2.3 Account Structure Reporting

The purpose of the Account Structure is to show the comprehensive and complete view of Amtrak’s

revenues and funding (sources) and expenditures (uses) in a manner that focuses on the services that 

Amtrak customers buy or fund. Amtrak customers should be able to see both comprehensive data about 

Amtrak’s financial sources and uses, as well as specific data that correspond to the particular service(s) 

they support. 

To support transparency and mutual understanding, FRA and Amtrak have agreed on high level definitions 

for each of the key components in the Account Structure. The chart of definitions can be found in 

Appendix A. FRA and Amtrak have developed a series of reporting tables that display the Account 

Structure financial information in varying levels of detail. The tables are linked: Information entered in 

the most detailed format into Table 3 populates the summarized information in Tables 1 and 2. Further 

explanation of each table is provided in the sections that follow.

2.3.1 Account Structure Summary

The Account Structure Summary is an executive level summary of the information presented in the

Account Structure. The Summary (Table 1) shows Amtrak’s total revenues (Financial Sources) and 

expenditures (Financial Uses), subdivided into the NEC and NN Accounts. 

Table 1. Account Structure Summary 

Northeast 

Corridor 

Account

National 

Network 

Account

Total

Financial Sources

Operating Sources

Capital Sources

Federal Grants to Amtrak

Total Operating and Capital Sources

Financial Uses (Operating):

Operating Uses

Operating Surplus/Deficit

(Operating Sources - Operating Uses)

Financial Uses (Debt Service Payments):

Debt Service Payments

Available for Capital Uses

(Operating Surplus/Deficit - Debt Service Payments + Capital 

Sources + Federal Grants to Amtrak)

Financial Uses (Capital):

Capital Expenditures

Legacy Debt Repayments

Remaining Carryover Balance

(Available for Capital Uses - Capital Expenditures - Legacy Debt 

Repayments)

Transfers
9 

The Summary shows the total financial operating, capital and Federal grants sources. Consistent with the 

Account Structure, these sources represent Amtrak’s total financial resources from all sources. The 

Operating Uses are reported, followed by the calculation of the Operating Surplus/Deficit. The Debt 

Service Payments, which represent the repayment of Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing 

(RRIF)

6 loans as well as any other new debt that Amtrak incurs, are shown here to demonstrate that any 

new debt is paid from the Operating Surplus generated from Amtrak’s business activities, not Federal 

funding sources, as a condition of Amtrak’s 2016 RRIF loan agreement. 

Any remaining Operating Surplus after the Debt Service Payments, plus the Capital Sources and the 

Federal grants to Amtrak represents the amount Amtrak has available for capital uses. The Capital Uses 

are reported, followed by the calculation of any Remaining Carryover Balance and Transfers. 

2.3.2 Account Structure Report

The Account Structure Report (Table 2) is a comprehensive and complete view of Amtrak’s financial 

sources and uses. This table provides a more detailed view than the Account Structure Summary and lists 

financial information by Service Lines and Asset Lines. The Account Structure Report focuses on services 

that Amtrak customers buy or fund. 

 

6 In 2016, Amtrak received a $2.45 billion loan from U.S. Department of Transportation’s RRIF program for the purchase of new high-speed trainsets and 

associated infrastructure, facility, and station investments.
Amtrak Services Reimbursable 

Services

Real Estate/ 

Commercial 

Services

Amtrak Services Reimbursable 

Services

Real Estate/ 

Commercial 

Services

Financial Sources:

Passenger Related Revenue

Ticket Revenue (Adjusted)

Charter/Special Trains

Food and Beverage

Contractual Contribution (Operating)

PRIIA 209 Operating Payments

PRIIA 212 Operating Payments

Commuter Operations

Reimbursable Contracts

Access Revenue

Commercial Revenue (incl. Pipe/Wire, Real Estate, Parking)

All Other Revenue (incl. Insurance Revenue, Cobranded 

Commissions, etc.)

Operating Sources Subtotal

Contractual Contribution (Capital)

PRIIA 209 Capital Payments

PRIIA 212 Capital Payments

Sole Benefit - Partners

Other State/Local Mutual Benefit

Financing Proceeds Applied 

Other Capital and Special Grants (incl., state/local sources)

Capital Sources Subtotal

Federal Grants to Amtrak

Prior Year Available Capital Funds

Current Year FAST Sec 11101 Grants

Operating

Capital

Other Federal Grants (incl., FRA/OST, FTA, DHS)

Federal Grants to Amtrak Subtotal

Total Financial Sources

Financial Uses (Operating):

Service Line Management

Transportation

Equipment

Infrastructure

Stations

National Assets and Corporate Services

Total Operating Uses

Operating Surplus/Deficit

(Operating Sources - Operating Uses)

Financial Uses (Debt Service Payments):

RRIF debt repayments

Other/New financing repayments

Total Debt Service Payments

Available for Capital Uses

(Capital Sources + Federal Grants to Amtrak + Operating 

Surplus/Deficit - Debt Service Payments )

Financial Uses (Capital):

Service Line Management

Transportation

Equipment

Infrastructure

Stations

National Assets and Corporate Services

Capital Expenditures

Legacy Debt Repayments

Total Capital Uses

Remaining Carryover Balance

National 

Network 

Account Total

Grand Total NEC Infrastructure 

Access

Ancillary - NEC

State Supported Long Distance Infrastructure 

Access

Ancillary - National Network

Northeast Corridor (NEC) Account

NEC Account Total

National Network Account A

B

C

D

E

Table 2. Amtrak Account Structure Report 

10
11

A – Accounts and Service Lines: Service Lines mapped to the NEC and/or NN Accounts. 

B – Financial Sources: Sources of revenue for Amtrak, separated into operating and capital categories, 

and the Federal grants to Amtrak mapped to the NEC and/or NN Accounts. 

Operating sources include:

• Passenger Related Revenues – ticket revenue, revenue from operation of charter and special trains, 

and revenues from sale of food and beverage on the train. 

• Contractual Contributions – payments from various contractual arrangements between Amtrak 

and its customers, including but not limited to States, freight operators, and commuter agencies. 

This includes payments to Amtrak from States and commuter authorities to carry out Passenger 

Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA) Section 209 and Section 212 cost-sharing 

obligations, as well as any contracts Amtrak has with commuter rail agencies, other reimbursable 

contracts, and revenues from freight operators and commuter rail agencies for access. 

• Commercial Revenue – revenues generated from owned assets, including real estate holdings, air 

rights, commercial pipe and wire, and parking. 

• All Other Revenue – other sources of revenue such as insurance payouts, commissions from cobranded credit cards, sales of Amtrak branded merchandise, loyalty marketing, and package

express.

Capital sources include: 

• Contractual Contributions – capital payments from States and commuter agencies for PRIIA 

Section 209 and Section 212 cost-sharing obligations, payments from State and commuter agencies 

for contracted, sole-benefit projects on Amtrak-owned territory, and other contracts negotiated 

between Amtrak and State or commuter partners for shared benefit capital projects.

• Financing Proceeds Applied – drawdown from loans and other financing arrangements between 

Amtrak and its lenders. 

• Other Capital and Special Grants – other grants that may come from States or local sources.

Federal grants to Amtrak include:

• Prior Year Available Capital Funds – available funds from previous grants Amtrak received from 

the Federal government.

• Current Year FAST Section 11101 Grants – represents the operating and capital appropriations 

amount requested or received under the annual Amtrak NEC and National Network grants 

provided by Congress for the current fiscal year. 

• Other Federal Grants – grants provided by the Federal government to Amtrak, outside of the NEC 

and National Network grants. 

C – Financial Uses: All expenditures made by Amtrak mapped to the NEC and/or NN Accounts. Like 

Financial Sources, this section is sub-divided into both operating and capital uses, but also includes an 

additional sub-section for debt service. 

• Operating Uses – organized and presented as Amtrak’s five Asset Lines – Transportation, 

Equipment, Infrastructure, Stations, and National Assets and Corporate Services. Service Line 

Management, which includes administration and management expenses specific to Service Lines, 

is also reported separately as an operating use. 
12

• Debt Service Payments – the principal and interest repayment on Railroad Rehabilitation and 

Improvement Financing (RRIF) loans and future Amtrak debt or financing arrangements. These 

debt service payments are repaid from Amtrak’s operating surplus – shown in the Operating 

Surplus/Deficit row.

• Capital Uses – organized and presented as Amtrak’s five Asset Lines and any direct expenses of 

Service Line Management staff associated with the administration and management of capital 

projects.

• Legacy Debt Repayments – repayment of any long-term debt and capital lease that originated 

before the passage of PRIIA or other debt originated for the purpose of restructuring these debt 

and lease payments. Much of this debt was incurred during years of reduced Federal funding for 

the explicit purpose of covering operating deficits or to free up other funds for operating or capital 

purposes. These repayments have previously been funded by the Federal government and will 

continue to be under the FAST Act’s annual Amtrak NEC and National Network grants

appropriated by Congress. 

D – Remaining Carryover Balance: After accounting for all financial sources and uses, the resulting 

Surplus/Deficit row represents the total surplus or deficit of Amtrak during the accounting period. 

E – Table Values: The values in this section represent each revenue or expense line item from the period 

of accounting, as assigned directly or allocated appropriately across the various Service Lines and mapped 

to the NEC and/or NN Accounts. 

For more detailed definitions of financial sources and uses, see Appendix A. 

2.3.3 Consolidated Sources and Uses Statement

The Consolidated Sources and Uses Statement fulfills Amtrak’s requirement in Section 11201(e) to 

produce updated profit and loss statements for each of the Service Lines and Asset Lines.

7 The format for 

Amtrak’s Consolidated Sources and Uses Statement is shown in Table 3, and includes additional detail 

for financial sources and uses than what is presented in Table 2. 

 

7 The FAST Act requires Amtrak, in consultation with the Secretary, to produce profit and loss statements for each of the Business Lines (Service Lines) and 

as appropriate, each of the Asset Categories (Asset Lines). Because the FAST Act directs Amtrak to include appropriations in the profit and loss statements 

and this does not align with what is commonly included in a profit and loss statement, Amtrak recommended renaming these statements Sources and Uses 

Statements. FRA adopted this recommendation.
NEC State 

Supported Long Distance Amtrak Services Reimbursable Services Infrastructure Access Total Amtrak 

($s in Thousands) NEC NN NN NEC NN NEC NN NEC NN NEC NN

Financial Sources:

Operating Sources

Passenger Revenue

Ticket Revenue (Adjusted)

Charters/Special Trains

Food & Beverage

Total Passenger Revenue

Contractual Contribution

PRIIA 209 Operating Payments

PRIIA 212 Operating Payments

Commuter Operations

Reimbursable Contracts

Access Revenue

Total Contractual Contribution

Commercial Revenue

Other Revenue 

Total Operating Sources

Capital Sources

State/Local Contractual Contribution

PRIIA 209 Equipment Capital

PRIIA 212 (BCC)

Sole Benefit - Partners

Other State/Local Mutual Benefit

Total State/Local Contractual Contribution

Proceeds from Loan Withdraws

Total Capital Sources

Federal Grants to Amtrak

Prior Year Available Capital Funds

Current Year FAST Sec 11101 Grants

Operating

Capital

Total Current Year FAST Sec 11101 Grants

 Other Federal Grants

Total Federal Grants to Amtrak

Total Financial Sources

Financial Uses:

Operating Uses

Service Line Management 

Management Support

Total Service Line Management

Transportation

Train and Engine Crew Labor

On Board Service Labor

T&E Overhead and Operations Management

Commissary Provisions and Operations

Connecting Motor Coach

Host RR, MOW and Performance Incentives

Dispatching - CETC, Block & Tower

Dispatching - CNOC

Fuel and Power

Commissions

Passenger Inconvenience and Claims

Total Transportation

Equipment

Terminal Yard Operations

Car & Locomotive Maintenance and Turnaround

On Board Passenger Technology

MOE Supervision Training and Overhead (Less Backshops)

Yard Operations - Mechanical Support

Mechanical and Fleet Support

Total Equipment

Infrastructure

Maintenance of Way

Engineering Management Support

Total Infrastructure

Stations

Station Staffing

Station Facility Operations

Station Technology

Total Stations

National Assets

Regional/Local Police

National Police and Safety

Non-Passenger Claims

Information Technology (IT)

Training and Training Centers

Insurance

Environmental

Real Estate & Lease Costs

Reservations & Call Centers

Total National Assets

Marketing and Direct Advertising

Corporate Operations

Total Corporate Services

Total Operating Uses

Operating Surplus/Deficit (Operating Sources - Operating Uses)

Debt Service:

RRIF

Total New Debt

Capital Uses:

Service Line Management 

IID

Management Support Technology & Systems

Total Service Line Management

Transportation

Technology & Systems

Facilities

Host Railroad Capital

Operations Equipment

Total Transportation

Equipment

Overhauls

New/Replacement Equipment

Facilities 

LCPM

Other Train Capital

Program Management

Total Equipment

Infrastructure

Normalized Replacement

Safety & Mandates

Major Backlog

Improvements

Environmental Remediation

Program Management

Total Infrastructure

Stations

Normalized Replacement

Safety & Mandates

Major Backlog

Improvements

Environmental Remediation

Parking

Program Management

Total Stations

National Assets

Information Technology (IT)

RAILSAFE

Infrastructure and Station Protection

Total National Assets

On board customer experience

Reservations & Ticketing

 OnBoard Technology

Corporate Operations

Total Corporate Services

Capital

Legacy Debt

Total Capital Uses

Remaining Carryover Balance

Train Services Ancillary Services

Real Estate & 

Commercial Services

Table 3 . Consolidated Sources and Uses Statement

13
14

APPENDIX A – DEFINITIONS

FAST Act Section 11201 Amtrak Account Structure 

Definition of Terms

Accounts 

For the purposes of implementing FAST Act Section 11201, the term “Account” means a collection of detailed financial information 

related to specific portions of Amtrak’s business activities. Two accounts – a Northeast Corridor Account and a National Network 

Account – are identified in Section 11201 and further defined herein. 

The FRA defines “Account Structure” and accounting methodologies as reporting tables to ensure Amtrak assigns its financial sources 

and uses to the appropriate account in a consistent, transparent, and repeatable basis. 

Northeast Corridor 

Account

The Northeast Corridor Account (NEC Account) provides information to investors, customers, and 

Amtrak on financial sources and uses associated with the business activities on the Northeast Corridor 

main line (NEC) between Boston, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia, and the proportional 

share of facilities and services used to operate and maintain that line. 

The NEC Account details operating and capital sources and uses for the NEC Intercity Operations 

Service Line and the NEC-related portion of the Infrastructure Access and Ancillary Services Service 

Lines, defined in Section B. 

National Network 

Account

The National Network Account (NN Account) provides information to investors, customers, and 

Amtrak on all financial sources and uses associated with the business activities on the national rail 

passenger transportation system, and the proportional share of facilities and services used to operate and 

maintain that system, exclusive of the NEC. 

The National Network Account details both operating and capital sources and uses related to the national 

rail passenger transportation system. It is comprised of the entirety of the State Supported and Long 

Distance Service Lines, as well as the National Network-related portion of the Infrastructure Access 

and Ancillary Services Service Lines, which are further defined below. 
15

Service Lines 

A Service Line represents a set of Amtrak business activities that typically share a common mission, core customers, and/or management 

structure. Originally referred to as Business Lines in Section 11203, FRA and Amtrak leadership agreed that using the term Service Lines 

better reflects the mission to provide high-quality service to internal and external customers. 8

NEC 

The NEC Service Line provides premium and regular intercity rail passenger transportation along the 

NEC main line between Boston, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. Its primary customers are 

the intercity train travelers. 

Its financial sources and uses are reported as part of the NEC Account. 

State Supported 

The State Supported Service Line provides intercity rail passenger transportation and supporting 

services along short-distance corridor routes of not more than 750 miles between endpoints, as defined 

at 49 USC §24102(7)(D). Its primary customers are the intercity train travelers along these routes and 

State departments of transportation or other entities subject to PRIIA Section 209 (or successor 

legislation) that have responsibility for providing intercity rail passenger transportation. 

Its financial sources and uses are reported as part of the National Network Account. 

Long Distance 

The Long Distance Service Line provides intercity rail passenger transportation along long-distance 

routes of more than 750 miles between endpoints, as defined at 49 USC §24102(7)(C). Its primary 

customers are travelers and communities across the National Network and the Federal government.

Its financial sources and uses are reported as part of the National Network Account. 

Infrastructure Access

The Infrastructure Access Service Line seeks to safely and efficiently plan, develop, manage, and 

provide access to Amtrak-owned or Amtrak-controlled infrastructure and facilities, consistent with 

Amtrak’s statutory obligations. Its primary customers include commuter and freight railroads, the 

Federal government, and third-parties such as States and localities, utilities, and others that seek to make 

use of Amtrak’s infrastructure and fixed assets. 

 

8 Note: For the purposes of the Account Structure, customer is broadly defined to include Amtrak’s internal departments, intercity rail passengers, and public and private 

sector entities that contract for, partner with, or invest in, Amtrak’s service lines. 
16

Amtrak owns assets in the NEC and across the U.S.; therefore, the financial sources and uses of the 

Infrastructure Access Service Line are allocated appropriately between the NEC Account and the 

National Network Account. 

Its financial sources and uses include operating and capital cost sharing payments that Amtrak receives 

from or pays to other NEC owners and operators in accordance with the terms of the Northeast Corridor 

Commuter and Intercity Rail Cost Allocation Policy, which implements the requirements of 49 USC 

§24905(c).9 

Ancillary Services

This service line is composed of three functions: Amtrak Services, Reimbursable Services, and Real 

Estate/Commercial Services.

- Amtrak Services provides commuter rail passenger transportation services, maintenance, or 

related services for a cost-based fee to commuter rail agencies;

- Reimbursable Services provides maintenance, engineering and capital improvement activities for 

freight and commuter operators, and other outside enterprises on a reimbursable cost basis; 

- Real Estate/Commercial Services engages in real estate activities and/or commercial 

arrangements with public and private sector entities to leverage Amtrak-owned fixed assets. 

Each ancillary function is identified in the Account Structure. Additionally, Amtrak’s Ancillary Service 

Line engages in activities both on the NEC and across the U.S. Thus, the financial sources and uses of 

this Service Line are allocated appropriately between the NEC Account and the National Network 

Account. 

 

9 49 USC §24905(c) requires a standardized policy for determining and allocating costs for NEC commuter rail passenger transportation, as defined in 49 USC § 24102, 

on the NEC main line between Boston, Massachusetts and Washington, District of Columbia, and for the branch lines connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 

Springfield, Massachusetts, and Spuyten Duyvil, New York. For the purposes of the accounts defined here, amounts related to the NEC main line will be reported in the 

NEC Account, and amounts related to the branch lines will be reported in the National Network Account.
17

Asset Lines 

Asset Lines represent the business activities and resources required to manage Amtrak’s assets and deliver the needs of the Service Lines.

Transportation 

Transportation means the train crew operating trains on the road, crew providing on-board services 

on the trains (for example, service attendants, café attendants), on-board food and beverage 

supplies, commissary contract operations and management, diesel fuel and electric propulsion 

costs, host railroad maintenance of way and performance incentive payments, dispatching, 

passenger inconvenience payments, commissions, passenger claims, connecting bus service, and 

the management, supervision, and support required to perform activities listed here. 

Equipment

Equipment means the management and maintenance of Amtrak-controlled locomotives, cars, and 

trainsets, train servicing, crew moving equipment in terminal yards, maintenance of facilities where 

equipment is maintained, and the management, supervision and support required to perform 

activities listed here. This service line also includes any preventive maintenance and minor repair 

performed by external vendors or contractors to maintain the locomotives, cars, trainsets, and nonrevenue equipment. Work related to Amtrak’s fleet strategy is also included in this Asset Line. 

Infrastructure

Infrastructure means management and safe maintenance of Amtrak-controlled fixed assets, and the 

management, supervision and support required to provide a safe and reliable railroad. Fixed assets 

include but are not limited to track and associated materials, communication and signal, electric 

traction propulsion generation and transmission, tunnels, bridges, culverts, rights-of-way, signs, 

real property and associated air rights buildings. It excludes stations and facilities where equipment 

is maintained.

Stations

Stations means all passenger rail stations served by Amtrak trains, with a focus on Amtrakcontrolled stations and elements of other stations for which Amtrak has legal responsibility or where 

it intends to make capital investments. This includes the maintenance and operation of such 

facilities that serve one or multiple routes, and their related management, supervision and support. 

National Assets and 

Corporate Services

National Assets are defined as Nation’s core rail assets shared among Amtrak services, including: 

systems for reservations, security, training and training centers, and other assets associated with 

Amtrak’s national rail passenger transportation system. 

Corporate services are defined to include company-wide functions, such as, legal, finance, 

government affairs, human resources, information technology, etc. 
18

Financial Sources: 

Financial Sources are defined as all revenues, appropriations, grants, and other forms of financial assistance, compensation, and other 

sources of funds. 

1. Passenger Related 

Revenue

Revenue from passenger train operations.

2. Ticket Revenue 

(Adjusted)

Revenue from the sale and use of tickets to passengers, including but not limited to subtracting a 

portion of ticket sales transferred to Food and Beverage, and other small transfers. 

3. Charter/Special Trains The contracting of Amtrak’s equipment crews for private excursion. The terms charter trains and 

special trains are used interchangeably.

4. Food and Beverage Revenue from the sale of food, beverages, and goods on-board the trains plus the ticket revenue 

transfer associated with food and beverage. 

5. Contractual 

Contribution 

(Operating)

Operating revenue from contractual arrangements between Amtrak and its customers, including but 

not limited to, States, freight operators and commuter agencies.

6. PRIIA 209 Operating 

Payments

Net operating payments collected from States or entities subject to PRIIA 209, or any successor 

legislation, for the operation of State Supported routes as determined by the PRIIA Section 209 Cost 

Methodology Policy, and any subsequent amendments to that policy. 

7. PRIIA 212 Operating 

Payments

Net operating payments received pursuant to agreements made to implement the requirements of the 

Northeast Corridor Commuter and Intercity Rail Cost Allocation Policy (PRIIA 212). 

8. Commuter Operations Revenues from contractual arrangements to operate commuter rail services, including providing train 

crews, mechanical services, or dispatching

9. Reimbursable 

Contracts

Revenue from reimbursable contracts between Amtrak and commuter or freight railroads.

10. Access Revenue Revenue from the use of Amtrak owned and/or controlled tracks, infrastructure, and facilities. 
19

11. Commercial Revenue 

(incl. Pipe/Wire, Real 

Estate, Parking)

Commercial development revenue from retail, parking, advertising, air rights, pipe and wire, real 

property leases/easements/sales, and other commercial activities.

12. All Other Revenue 

(incl. Insurance 

Revenue, Cobranded 

Commissions, etc.) 

Miscellaneous revenue not included elsewhere, such as ticket by mail fees, loyalty marketing revenue, 

commissions from sales of third-party services during the reservations process (call/Internet 

“tipping”), package express where applicable, allowances for bad debt, credit card commissions. 

13. Operating Sources

Subtotal 

Sum of revenues from operating sources. This is computed as the total of line items 1 to 12. 

14. Contractual 

Contribution (Capital)

Capital revenue from contractual arrangements between Amtrak and its customers, including but not 

limited to States, freight operators and commuter agencies.

15. PRIIA 209 Capital 

Payments

Capital payments collected from the States or intercity passenger rail agencies for the overhaul of 

Amtrak owned passenger service equipment used in State Supported routes, other mechanical expense 

related to equipment, or other Amtrak Fixed Assets, and non-Amtrak Fixed Assets, as defined in the 

PRIIA Section 209 Cost Methodology Policy and any subsequent amendments to that policy. 

16. PRIIA 212 Capital 

Payments

Capital payments received pursuant to agreements made to implement the requirements of the 

Northeast Corridor Commuter and Intercity Rail Cost Allocation Policy (PRIIA 212). 

These capital payments include baseline capital charges and other capital payments. 

17. Sole Benefit - Partners Revenue from sole benefit reimbursable maintenance, engineering, and capital improvement activities 

for freight railroads and other outside enterprises on a reimbursable cost basis. 

18. Other State/Local 

Mutual Benefit

Revenue from other contracts negotiated between Amtrak and State, commuter or freight partners for 

shared benefit capital projects.

19. Financing Proceeds 

Applied

Amounts advanced to Amtrak from loans and other financing agreements. 

20. Other Capital and 

Special Grants

Capital grants from non-Federal sources (incl. State/local sources). 
20

21. Capital Sources 

Subtotal

Sum of revenues from capital sources. This is computed as the total of line items 14 to 20. 

22. Federal Grants to 

Amtrak

Federal grants provided to Amtrak. 

23. Prior Year Available 

Capital Funds

Available funds from previous grants Amtrak received from the Federal government. 

24. Current Year FAST 

Sec. 11101 Grants 

The Operating and Capital portions of grants authorized to Amtrak pursuant to FAST Act Section

11101 for the current fiscal year.

25. Other Federal Grants Capital grants provided by Federal sources that are different from those authorized by FAST Act 

Section 11101 (including grants from FRA, Office of the Secretary of Transportation [OST], Federal 

Transit Administration [FTA], Department of Homeland Security [DHS]). 

26. Federal Grants to 

Amtrak Subtotal

Sum of grants from Federal sources. This is computed as the total of line items 22 to 25. 

27. Total Financial Sources Sum of revenues from operating and capital sources, and Federal grants. This is computed as the total 

of line items 13, 21, and 26. 

Financial Uses (Operating):

Expenses associated with the operation of passenger rail service, and the goods and services consumed to fulfill the related activities 

and functions. 

28. Service Line Management Expenses associated with the administration and management of Amtrak’s Service Lines. Expenses 

include but are not limited to planning, administration, business development, contract 

management, and support. 

29. Transportation Operating expenses associated with assets related to the operation and movement of the trains, onboard services and amenities.
21

30. Equipment Operating expenses associated with Amtrak-controlled rolling stock, locomotives, and mechanical 

shop facilities that are used to maintain and overhaul equipment. 

31. Infrastructure Operating expenses associated with all Amtrak-controlled Northeast Corridor infrastructure assets 

and other Amtrak-controlled infrastructure, along with the associated facilities that support the 

operation, maintenance and improvement of those assets. 

32. Stations Operating expenses associated with all passenger rail stations served by Amtrak trains, with a focus 

on Amtrak-controlled stations and elements of other stations for which Amtrak has legal 

responsibility or where it intends to make capital investments. 

33. National Assets and 

Corporate Services

Operating expenses associated with cross-cutting assets such as systems for reservations, security, 

training, training centers, and others associated with Amtrak’s national rail passenger transportation 

system; also includes operating expenses associated with company-wide functions such as legal, 

finance, government affairs, human resources, and information technology. 

34. Total Operating Uses Sum of all expenses associated with operations of passenger rail service. This is computed as the 

total of line items 28 to 33. 

Operating Surplus/Deficit Calculation

35. Operating Surplus/ 

Deficit

Difference between Operating Sources Subtotal (13) and Total Operating Uses (34). 

Financial Uses (Debt Service Payments):

36. RRIF debt repayments Principal and interest payments to FRA for Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing 

(RRIF) loans.

37. Other/New financing 

repayments

Principal and interest payments for financial agreements other than RRIF. 
22

38. Total Debt Service 

Payments

Principal and interest payment for RRIF and other financial agreements. This is computed as the total 

of 36 and 37. 

Funds Available for Capital Uses Calculation

39. Available for Capital 

Uses

Funds that are available for capital uses. Sum of Capital Sources Subtotal (21), Federal Grants to 

Amtrak Subtotal (26) and Operating Surplus/Deficit (35), minus Total Debt Service Payments (38).

Financial Uses (Capital): 

Investments in capital assets that are required to achieve and maintain a state of good repair. Capital projects or programs primarily 

associated with rehabilitation, replacement, renewals, improvements, acquisitions, or safety, mandatory, or legal mandates, and other 

strategic initiatives.

40. Service Line 

Management 

Capital improvements related to management and administration of Service Lines. 

41. Transportation Investments in capital projects and programs related to Transportation as defined in line item 29. 

42. Equipment Capital investments associated with Equipment. This may include but is not limited to the acquisition, 

rehabilitation, manufacture, overhaul, or improvement of equipment as defined in line item 30. 

43. Infrastructure Capital investments in projects and programs related to Infrastructure assets as defined in line item 

31. 

44. Stations Capital investments in capital projects and programs related to Stations and related facilities as defined 

in line item 32. 

45. National Assets and 

Corporate Services

Capital investments in the National Assets and Corporate Services as defined in line item 33. 
23

46. Capital Expenditures Sum of capital expenses computed as the total of line items 40 to 45. 

47. Legacy Debt

Repayments

Any long-term debt and capital lease originated before the passage of PRIIA or other debt originated 

for the purpose of restructuring such long-term debt and capital lease. 

48. Total Capital Uses Sum of capital expenses and legacy debt repayments computed as the total of line items 46 and 47. 

Final Summary Calculation 

49. Remaining Carryover

Balance

Represents the total surplus or deficit of Amtrak during the accounting period. Difference between 

Available for Capital Uses (39) and Capital Expenditures (46), minus Legacy Debt Repayments (47).