(2) 15-DAY MODIFICATION PERIOD.—Within 15 
days after receiving notification from the Secretary 
under the preceding sentence, Amtrak shall submit 
a modified request for the Secretary’s review. 
(3) REVISED REQUESTS.—Within 15 days after 
receiving a modified request from Amtrak, the Sec-
retary shall either approve the modified request, or, 
if the Secretary finds that the request is still incom-
plete or deficient, the Secretary shall identify in 
writing to the House of Representatives Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Sen-
ate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation the remaining deficiencies and recommend 
a process for resolving the outstanding portions of 
the request. 
SEC. 206. STATE-SUPPORTED ROUTES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Board of Directors of Amtrak, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and 
the governors of each relevant State and the Mayor of the 
District of Columbia or groups representing those officials, 
shall develop and implement a single, Nationwide stand-
ardized methodology for establishing and allocating the 
operating and capital costs among the States and Amtrak
associated with trains operated on routes described in sec-
tion 24102(5)(B) or (D) or section 24702 that— 
(1) ensures, within 5 years after the date of en-
actment of this Act, equal treatment in the provision 
of like services of all States and groups of States 
(including the District of Columbia); and 
(2) allocates to each route the costs incurred 
only for the benefit of that route and a propor-
tionate share, based upon factors that reasonably re-
flect relative use, of costs incurred for the common 
benefit of more than 1 route. 
(b) REVIEW.—If Amtrak and the States (including 
the District of Columbia) in which Amtrak operates such 
routes do not voluntarily adopt and implement the meth-
odology developed under subsection (a) in allocating costs 
and determining compensation for the provision of service 
in accordance with the date established therein, the Sur-
face Transportation Board shall determine the appro-
priate methodology required under subsection (a) for such 
services in accordance with the procedures and procedural 
schedule applicable to a proceeding under section 24904(c) 
of title 49, United States Code, and require the full imple-
mentation of this methodology with regards to the provi-
sion of such service within 1 year after the Board’s deter-
mination of the appropriate methodology.
(c) USE OF CHAPTER 244 FUNDS.—Funds provided 
to a State under chapter 244 of title 49, United States 
Code, may be used, as provided in that chapter, to pay 
capital costs determined in accordance with this section. 
SEC. 207. METRICS AND STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Railroad Administration and Amtrak shall jointly, in con-
sultation with the Surface Transportation Board, rail car-
riers over whose rail lines Amtrak trains operate, States, 
Amtrak employees, nonprofit employee organizations rep-
resenting Amtrak employees, and groups representing 
Amtrak passengers, as appropriate, develop new or im-
prove existing metrics and minimum standards for meas-
uring the performance and service quality of intercity pas-
senger train operations, including cost recovery, on-time 
performance and minutes of delay, ridership, on-board 
services, stations, facilities, equipment, and other services. 
Such metrics, at a minimum, shall include the percentage 
of avoidable and fully allocated operating costs covered by 
passenger revenues on each route, ridership per train mile 
operated, measures of on-time performance and delays in-
curred by intercity passenger trains on the rail lines of 
each rail carrier and, for long distance routes, measures 
of connectivity with other routes in all regions currently
receiving Amtrak service and the transportation needs of 
communities and populations that are not well-served by 
other forms of public transportation. Amtrak shall provide 
reasonable access to the Federal Railroad Administration 
in order to enable the Administration to carry out its duty 
under this section. 
(b) QUARTERLY REPORTS.—The Administrator of 
the Federal Railroad Administration shall collect the nec-
essary data and publish a quarterly report on the perform-
ance and service quality of intercity passenger train oper-
ations, including Amtrak’s cost recovery, ridership, on- 
time performance and minutes of delay, causes of delay, 
on-board services, stations, facilities, equipment, and other 
services. 
(c) CONTRACT WITH HOST RAIL CARRIERS.—To the 
extent practicable, Amtrak and its host rail carriers shall 
incorporate the metrics and standards developed under 
subsection (a) into their access and service agreements. 
(d) ARBITRATION.—If the development of the metrics 
and standards is not completed within the 180-day period 
required by subsection (a), any party involved in the devel-
opment of those standards may petition the Surface 
Transportation Board to appoint an arbitrator to assist 
the parties in resolving their disputes through binding ar-
bitration.
SEC. 208. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR STATE-OF-GOOD-REPAIR 
PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 9 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the National Railroad Passenger 
Corporation, in consultation with the Secretary and the 
States (including the District of Columbia) that make up 
the Northeast Corridor (as defined in section 24102 of 
title 49, United States Code), shall prepare a capital 
spending plan for capital projects required to return the 
railroad right-of-way (including track, signals, and auxil-
iary structures), facilities, stations, and equipment, of the 
Northeast Corridor to a state of good repair by the end 
of fiscal year 2024, consistent with the funding levels au-
thorized in this Act and shall submit the plan to the Sec-
retary. 
(b) APPROVAL BY THE SECRETARY.— 
(1) The Corporation shall submit the capital 
spending plan prepared under this section to the 
Secretary of Transportation for review and approval 
pursuant to the procedures developed under section 
205 of this Act. 
(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall re-
quire that the plan be updated at least annually and 
shall review and approve such updates. During re-
view, the Secretary shall seek comments and review 
from the commission established under section
24905 of title 49, United States Code, and other 
Northeast Corridor users regarding the plan. 
(3) The Secretary shall make grants to the Cor-
poration with funds authorized by section 101(d) of 
this Act for Northeast Corridor capital investments 
contained within the capital spending plan prepared 
by the Corporation and approved by the Secretary. 
(4) Using the funds authorized by section 
101(f) of this Act, the Secretary shall review Am-
trak’s capital expenditures funded by this section to 
ensure that such expenditures are consistent with 
the capital spending plan and that Amtrak is pro-
viding adequate project management oversight and 
fiscal controls. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY OF EXPENDITURES.—The Federal 
share of expenditures for capital improvements under this 
section may not exceed 100 percent. 
SEC. 209. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND 
OPERATIONS IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 24905 is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘§ 24905. Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Op-
erations Advisory Commission 
‘‘(a) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND 
OPERATIONS ADVISORY COMMISSION.—
‘‘(1) Within 180 days after the date of enact-
ment of the Passenger Rail Investment and Im-
provement Act of 2008, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a Northeast Corridor Infra-
structure and Operations Advisory Commission 
(hereinafter referred to in this section as the ‘Com-
mission’) to promote mutual cooperation and plan-
ning pertaining to the rail operations and related ac-
tivities of the Northeast Corridor. The Commission 
shall be made up of— 
‘‘(A) members representing the National 
Railroad Passenger Corporation; 
‘‘(B) members representing the Secretary 
of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration; 
‘‘(C) one member from each of the States 
(including the District of Columbia) that con-
stitute the Northeast Corridor as defined in sec-
tion 24102, designated by, and serving at the 
pleasure of, the chief executive officer thereof; 
and 
‘‘(D) non-voting representatives of freight 
railroad carriers using the Northeast Corridor 
selected by the Secretary.
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall ensure that the mem-
bership belonging to any of the groups enumerated 
under subparagraph (1) shall not constitute a major-
ity of the commission’s memberships. 
‘‘(3) The commission shall establish a schedule 
and location for convening meetings, but shall meet 
no less than four times per fiscal year, and the com-
mission shall develop rules and procedures to govern 
the commission’s proceedings. 
‘‘(4) A vacancy in the Commission shall be 
filled in the manner in which the original appoint-
ment was made. 
‘‘(5) Members shall serve without pay but shall 
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 
5703 of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(6) The Chairman of the Commission shall be 
elected by the members. 
‘‘(7) The Commission may appoint and fix the 
pay of such personnel as it considers appropriate. 
‘‘(8) Upon request of the Commission, the head 
of any department or agency of the United States 
may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the per-
sonnel of that department or agency to the Commis-
sion to assist it in carrying out its duties under this 
section. 
‘‘(9) Upon the request of the Commission, the 
Administrator of General Services shall provide to 
the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the admin-
istrative support services necessary for the Commis-
sion to carry out its responsibilities under this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(10) The commission shall consult with other 
entities as appropriate. 
‘‘(b) GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Commis-
sion shall develop recommendations concerning Northeast 
Corridor rail infrastructure and operations including pro-
posals addressing, as appropriate— 
‘‘(1) short-term and long-term capital invest-
ment needs beyond the state-of-good-repair under 
section 208 of the Passenger Rail Investment and 
Improvement Act of 2008; 
‘‘(2) future funding requirements for capital 
improvements and maintenance; 
‘‘(3) operational improvements of intercity pas-
senger rail, commuter rail, and freight rail services; 
‘‘(4) opportunities for additional non-rail uses 
of the Northeast Corridor; 
‘‘(5) scheduling and dispatching;
‘‘(6) safety enhancements; 
‘‘(7) equipment design; 
‘‘(8) marketing of rail services; 
‘‘(9) future capacity requirements; and 
‘‘(10) potential funding and financing mecha-
nisms for projects of corridor-wide significance. 
‘‘(c) ACCESS COSTS.— 
‘‘(1) DEVELOPMENT OF FORMULA.—Within 1 
year after verification of Amtrak’s new financial ac-
counting system pursuant to section 203(b) of the 
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 
2008, the Commission shall— 
‘‘(A) develop a standardized formula for 
determining and allocating costs, revenues, and 
compensation for Northeast Corridor commuter 
rail passenger transportation, as defined in sec-
tion 24102 of this title, that use National Rail-
road Passenger Corporation facilities or services 
or that provide such facilities or services to the 
National Railroad Passenger Corporation that 
ensure that— 
‘‘(i) there is no cross-subsidization of 
commuter rail passenger, intercity rail pas-
senger, or freight rail transportation;
‘‘(ii) each service is assigned the costs 
incurred only for the benefit of that serv-
ice, and a proportionate share, based upon 
factors that reasonably reflect relative use, 
of costs incurred for the common benefit of 
more than 1 service; and 
‘‘(iii) all financial contributions made 
by an operator of a service, including but 
not limited to, for any capital infrastruc-
ture investments, as well as for any in-kind 
services, are considered; 
‘‘(B) develop a proposed timetable for im-
plementing the formula before the end of the 
6th year following the date of enactment of that 
Act; 
‘‘(C) transmit the proposed timetable to 
the Surface Transportation Board; and 
‘‘(D) at the request of a Commission mem-
ber, petition the Surface Transportation Board 
to appoint a mediator to assist the Commission 
members through non-binding mediation to 
reach an agreement under this section. 
‘‘(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—The National Rail-
road Passenger Corporation and the commuter au-
thorities providing commuter rail passenger trans-
portation on the Northeast Corridor shall implement 
new agreements for usage of facilities or services 
based on the formula proposed in paragraph (1) in 
accordance with the timetable established therein. If 
the entities fail to implement such new agreements 
in accordance with the timetable, the Commission 
shall petition the Surface Transportation Board to 
determine the appropriate compensation amounts for 
such services in accordance with section 24904(c) of 
this title. The Surface Transportation Board shall 
enforce its determination on the party or parties in-
volved. 
‘‘(d) TRANSMISSION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—The 
commission shall annually transmit the recommendations 
developed under subsection (b) and the formula and time-
table developed under subsection (c)(1) to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate.’’. 
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—(1) 
Section 
24904(c)(2) is amended by— 
(A) inserting ‘‘commuter rail passenger and’’ 
after ‘‘between’’; and 
(B) striking ‘‘freight’’ in the second sentence.
(2) The chapter analysis for chapter 249 is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 24905 and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘24905. Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commis-
sion.’’. 
(c) ACELA SERVICE STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Amtrak shall conduct a con-
duct a study to determine the infrastructure and 
equipment improvements necessary to provide reg-
ular Acela service— 
(A) between Washington, DC and New 
York City— 
(i) in 2 hours and 30 minutes; 
(ii) in 2 hours and 15 minutes; and 
(iii) in 2 hours; and 
(B) between New York City and Boston— 
(i) in 3 hours and 15 minutes; 
(ii) in 3 hours; and 
(iii) in 2 hours and 45 minutes. 
(2) ISSUES.—The study conducted under para-
graph (1) shall include— 
(A) an estimated time frame for achieving 
the trip time described in paragraph (1); 
(B) an analysis of any significant obstacles 
that would hinder such an achievement, includ-
ing but not limited to, any adverse impact on
existing and projected intercity, commuter, and 
freight service; and 
(C) a detailed description and cost esti-
mate of the specific infrastructure and equip-
ment improvements necessary for such an 
achievement. 
(3) REPORT.—Within 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall submit a writ-
ten report containing the results of the study re-
quired under this subsection to— 
(A) the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; 
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives; 
(C) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate; 
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate; and 
(E) the Federal Railroad Administration. 
(4) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Transportation to enable Amtrak to con-
duct the study under this subsection $5,000,000.
SEC. 210. RESTRUCTURING LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAP-
ITAL LEASES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Treasury, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and 
Amtrak, may make agreements to restructure Amtrak’s 
indebtedness as of the date of enactment of this Act. This 
authorization expires 18 months after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(b) DEBT RESTRUCTURING.—The Secretary of the 
Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Transpor-
tation and Amtrak, shall enter into negotiations with the 
holders of Amtrak debt, including leases, outstanding on 
the date of enactment of this Act for the purpose of re-
structuring (including repayment) and repaying that debt. 
The Secretary of the Treasury may secure agreements for 
restructuring or repayment on such terms as the Secretary 
of the Treasury deems favorable to the interests of the 
Government. 
(c) CRITERIA.—In restructuring Amtrak’s indebted-
ness, the Secretary of the Treasury and Amtrak— 
(1) shall take into consideration repayment 
costs, the term of any loan or loans, and market 
conditions; and 
(2) shall ensure that the restructuring results 
in significant savings to Amtrak and the United 
States Government.
(d) PAYMENT OF RENEGOTIATED DEBT.—If the cri-
teria under subsection (c) are met, the Secretary of the 
Treasury may assume or repay the restructured debt, as 
appropriate. 
(e) AMTRAK
PRINCIPAL
AND
INTEREST
PAY-
MENTS.— 
(1) PRINCIPAL ON DEBT SERVICE.—Unless the 
Secretary of the Treasury makes sufficient payments 
to creditors under subsection (d) so that Amtrak is 
required to make no payments to creditors in a fis-
cal year, the Secretary of Transportation shall use 
funds authorized by section 102(a)(1) of this Act for 
the use of Amtrak for retirement of principal on 
loans for capital equipment, or capital leases. 
(2) INTEREST ON DEBT.—Unless the Secretary 
of the Treasury makes sufficient payments to credi-
tors under subsection (d) so that Amtrak is required 
to make no payments to creditors in a fiscal year, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall use funds au-
thorized by section 102(a)(1) of this Act for the use 
of Amtrak for the payment of interest on loans for 
capital equipment, or capital leases. 
(3) REDUCTIONS IN AUTHORIZATION LEVELS.— 
Whenever action taken by the Secretary of the 
Treasury under subsection (a) results in reductions
in amounts of principal or interest that Amtrak 
must service on existing debt, the corresponding 
amounts authorized by section 102(a)(1) shall be re-
duced accordingly. 
(f) LEGAL EFFECT OF PAYMENTS UNDER THIS SEC-
TION.—The payment of principal and interest on secured 
debt, other than debt assumed under subsection (d), with 
the proceeds of grants under subsection (e) shall not— 
(1) modify the extent or nature of any indebt-
edness of the National Railroad Passenger Corpora-
tion to the United States in existence of the date of 
enactment of this Act; 
(2) change the private nature of Amtrak’s or its 
successors’ liabilities; or 
(3) imply any Federal guarantee or commit-
ment to amortize Amtrak’s outstanding indebted-
ness. 
(g) SECRETARY APPROVAL.—Amtrak may not incur 
more debt after the date of enactment of this Act without 
the express advance approval of the Secretary of Trans-
portation. 
(h) REPORT.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
transmit a report to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives,
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate, by November 1, 2009— 
(1) describing in detail any agreements to re-
structure the Amtrak debt; and 
(2) providing an estimate of the savings to Am-
trak and the United States Government. 
SEC. 211. STUDY OF COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS AT EX-
ISTING INTERCITY RAIL STATIONS. 
Amtrak, in consultation with station owners and 
other railroads operating service through the existing sta-
tions that it serves, shall evaluate the improvements nec-
essary to make these stations readily accessible to and us-
able by individuals with disabilities, as required by such 
section 242(e)(2) of the Americans with Disabilities Act 
of 1990, as amended (42 U.S.C. 12162(e)(2)). The eval-
uation shall include, for each applicable station, improve-
ments required to bring it into compliance with the appli-
cable parts of such section 242(e)(2), any potential bar-
riers to achieving compliance, including issues related to 
the raising of passenger rail station platforms, the esti-
mated cost of the improvements necessary, the identifica-
tion of the responsible person (as defined in section 241(5) 
of that Act (42 U.S.C. 12161(5))), and the earliest prac-
ticable date when such improvements can be made. The
evaluation shall also include a detailed plan and schedule 
for bringing all applicable stations into compliance with 
the applicable parts of section 242(e)(2) by the 2010 stat-
utory deadline for station accessibility. Amtrak shall sub-
mit the evaluation to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate; the Department of Transportation; and the 
National Council on Disability by February 1, 2009, along 
with recommendations for funding the necessary improve-
ments. Should the Department of Transportation issue the 
Final Rule to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking of Feb-
ruary 27, 2006, on ‘‘Transportation for Individuals with 
Disabilities,’’ after Amtrak submits its evaluation, Amtrak 
shall, not later than 120 days after the date the Final 
Rule is published, submit to the above parties a supple-
mental evaluation on the impact of those changes on its 
cost and schedule for achieving full compliance. 
SEC. 212. OVERSIGHT OF AMTRAK’S COMPLIANCE WITH AC-
CESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. 
Using the funds authorized by section 101(f) of this 
Act, the Federal Railroad Administration shall monitor 
and conduct periodic reviews of Amtrak’s compliance with 
applicable sections of the Americans with Disabilities Act 
of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 to ensure that
Amtrak’s services and facilities are accessible to individ-
uals with disabilities to the extent required by law. 
SEC. 213. ACCESS TO AMTRAK EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES. 
If a State desires to select or selects an entity other 
than Amtrak to provide services required for the operation 
of an intercity passenger train route described in section 
24102(5)(D) or 24702 of title 49, United States Code, 
the State may make an agreement with Amtrak to use 
facilities and equipment of, or have services provided by, 
Amtrak under terms agreed to by the State and Amtrak 
to enable the State to utilize an entity other than Amtrak 
to provide services required for operation of the route. If 
the parties cannot agree upon terms, and the Surface 
Transportation Board finds that access to Amtrak’s facili-
ties or equipment, or the provision of services by Amtrak, 
is necessary to carry out this provision and that the oper-
ation of Amtrak’s other services will not be impaired 
thereby, the Surface Transportation Board shall, within 
120 days after submission of the dispute, issue an order 
that the facilities and equipment be made available, and 
that services be provided, by Amtrak, and shall determine 
reasonable compensation, liability and other terms for use 
of the facilities and equipment and provision of the serv-
ices. Compensation shall be determined in accordance with
the methodology established pursuant to section 206 of 
this Act. 
SEC. 214. GENERAL AMTRAK PROVISIONS. 
(a) REPEAL
OF
SELF-SUFFICIENCY
REQUIRE-
MENTS.— 
(1) PLAN
REQUIRED.—Section 24101(d) is 
amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘plan to operate within the 
funding levels authorized by section 24104 of 
this chapter, including budgetary goals for fis-
cal years 1998 through 2002.’’ and inserting 
‘‘plan, consistent with section 204 of the Pas-
senger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 
2008, including the budgetary goals for fiscal 
years 2009 through 2013.’’; and 
(B) by striking the last sentence and in-
serting ‘‘Amtrak and its Board of Directors 
shall adopt a long-term plan that minimizes the 
need for Federal operating subsidies.’’. 
(2) AMTRAK
REFORM
AND
ACCOUNTABILITY 
ACT AMENDMENTS.—Title II of the Amtrak Reform 
and Accountability Act of 1997 (49 U.S.C. 24101 
nt) is amended by striking sections 204 and 205. 
(b) LEASE ARRANGEMENTS.—Amtrak may obtain 
services from the Administrator of General Services, and
the Administrator may provide services to Amtrak, under 
section 201(b) and 211(b) of the Federal Property and 
Administrative Service Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 481(b) and 
491(b)) for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013. 
SEC. 215. AMTRAK MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 243 is amended by in-
serting after section 24309 the following: 
‘‘§ 24310. Management accountability 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Three years after the date of en-
actment of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improve-
ment Act of 2008, and 2 years thereafter, the Inspector 
General of the Department of Transportation shall com-
plete an overall assessment of the progress made by Am-
trak management and the Department of Transportation 
in implementing the provisions of that Act. 
‘‘(b) ASSESSMENT.—The management assessment 
undertaken by the Inspector General may include a review 
of— 
‘‘(1) effectiveness in improving annual financial 
planning; 
‘‘(2) effectiveness in implementing improved fi-
nancial accounting; 
‘‘(3) efforts to implement minimum train per-
formance standards;
‘‘(4) progress maximizing revenues and mini-
mizing Federal subsidies and improving financial re-
sults; and 
‘‘(5) any other aspect of Amtrak operations the 
Inspector General finds appropriate to review.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The chapter anal-
ysis for chapter 243 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 24309 the following: 
‘‘24310. Management accountability.’’. 
SEC. 216. PASSENGER RAIL STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
General Accountability Office shall conduct a study to de-
termine the potential cost and benefits of expanding pas-
senger rail service options in underserved communities. 
(b) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit a report containing the results of the study 
conducted under this section to— 
(1) the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives; and 
(2) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 217. CONGESTION GRANTS. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of Transportation 
may make grants to States, or to Amtrak in cooperation 
with States, for financing the capital costs of facilities, in-
frastructure, and equipment for high priority rail corridor 
projects necessary to reduce congestion or facilitate rider-
ship growth in intercity passenger rail transportation. 
(b) ELIGIBLE
PROJECTS.—Projects eligible for 
grants under this section include projects— 
(1) identified by Amtrak as necessary to reduce 
congestion or facilitate ridership growth in intercity 
passenger rail transportation along heavily traveled 
rail corridors; and 
(2) designated by the Secretary as being suffi-
ciently advanced in development to be capable of 
serving the purposes described in subsection (a) on 
an expedited schedule. 
(c) COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.— 
The Secretary shall not make a grant under this section 
for a project without adequate assurances that the project 
will be completed in full compliance with all applicable 
Federal and State environmental laws and regulations. 
(d) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost 
of a project financed under this section shall not exceed 
80 percent. 
(e) EMPLOYEE PROTECTION.—The recipient of a 
grant under this section shall agree to comply with the 
standards of section 24312 of title 49, United States 
Code, as such section was in effect on September 1, 2003,
with respect to the project in the same manner that the 
National Railroad Passenger Corporation is required to 
comply with those standards for construction work fi-
nanced under an agreement made under section 24308(a) 
of such title. 
SEC. 218. PLAN FOR RESTORATION OF SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 9 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall transmit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a plan 
for restoring passenger rail service between New Orleans, 
Louisiana, and Sanford, Florida. The plan shall include 
a projected timeline for restoring such service, the costs 
associated with restoring such service, and any proposals 
for legislation necessary to support such restoration of 
service. In developing the plan, Amtrak shall consult with 
representatives from the States of Louisiana, Alabama, 
Mississippi, and Florida, railroad carriers whose tracks 
may be used for such service, rail passengers, rail labor, 
and other entities as appropriate. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Transportation to enable Amtrak to conduct the study 
under this subsection $1,000,000.
SEC. 219. LOCOMOTIVE BIOFUEL STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Railroad Administration, in consultation with the Sec-
retary of Energy and the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, shall conduct a study to deter-
mine the extent to which freight and passenger rail opera-
tors could use biofuel blends to power its locomotive fleet 
and other vehicles that operate on rail tracks. 
(b) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the 
term ‘‘biofuel’’ means a fuel that utilizes renewable re-
sources and is composed substantially of a renewable re-
source blended with ethanol, methanol, or other additive. 
(c) FACTORS.—In conducting the study, the Federal 
Railroad Administration shall consider— 
(1) the energy intensity of various biofuel 
blends compared to diesel fuel; 
(2) the emission benefits of using various 
biofuel blends compared to locomotive diesel fuel; 
(3) the cost of purchasing biofuel blends; 
(4) the public benefits derived from the use of 
such fuels; and 
(5) the effect of biofuel use on relevant loco-
motive and other vehicle performance. 
(d) LOCOMOTIVE TESTING.—As part of the study, 
the Federal Railroad Administration shall test locomotive 
engine performance and emissions using blends of biofuel
and diesel fuel in order to recommend a premium loco-
motive biofuel blend. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Federal Railroad Adminis-
tration shall issue the results of this study to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Transportation $1,000,000 to carry out this section, to 
remain available until expended. 
SEC. 220. STUDY OF THE USE OF BIOBASED LUBRICANTS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Federal Railroad Administration shall 
transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report containing the results of a study of the 
feasibility of using readily biodegradable lubricants by 
freight and passenger railroads. The Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration shall work with an agricultural-based lubri-
cant testing facility or facilities to complete this study. 
The study shall include—
(1) an analysis of the potential use of soy-based 
grease and soy-based hydraulic fluids to perform ac-
cording to railroad industry standards; 
(2) an analysis of the potential use of other 
readily biodegradable lubricants to perform accord-
ing to railroad industry standards; 
(3) a comparison of the health and safety of pe-
troleum-based lubricants with biobased lubricants, 
which shall include an analysis of fire safety; and 
(4) a comparison of the environmental impact 
of petroleum-based lubricants with biobased lubri-
cants, which shall include rate and effects of 
biodegradability. 
SEC. 221. APPLICABILITY OF BUY AMERICAN ACT. 
Section 24305(f) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) APPLICABILITY OF BUY AMERICAN ACT.—Am-
trak shall be subject to the Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 
10a–d) and the regulations thereunder, for purchases of 
$100,000 or more.’’. 
SEC. 222. INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE PERFORM-
ANCE. 
(a) DEVELOPMENT OF EVALUATION METRICS.—Not 
later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Trans-
portation shall, using the financial and performance
metrics developed under section 207, develop metrics for 
the evaluation of the performance and service quality of 
intercity passenger rail services including cost recovery, 
on-time performance and minutes of delay, ridership, on-
board services, maintenance of facilities and equipment, 
and other services. 
(b) 
IDENTIFICATION
OF
WORST
PERFORMING 
ROUTES.—On the basis of these metrics, the Inspector 
General shall identify the five worst performing Amtrak 
routes. 
(c) ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.—The Inspector General 
shall also establish criteria for evaluating routes not cur-
rently served by Amtrak which might be able to support 
passenger rail service at a reasonable cost. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Inspector General 
shall submit a report to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate recommending a process for the Department 
of Transportation to consider proposals by Amtrak and 
others to serve underperforming routes, and routes not 
currently served by Amtrak. The proposals shall require 
that applicants follow grant requirements of section 504. 
The Inspector General shall recommend one route not cur-
rently served by Amtrak and two routes (from among the
five worst routes identified under subsection (b)) currently 
served by Amtrak, for the Department of Transportation 
to consider under the selection process. 
(e) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary shall not im-
plement the selection process recommended by the Inspec-
tor General under subsection (d) until legislation has been 
enacted authorizing the Secretary to take such action. 
SEC. 223. AMTRAK INSPECTOR GENERAL UTILIZATION 
STUDY. 
Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Amtrak Inspector General shall transmit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on Amtrak’s utilization of its facilities, including 
the Beech Grove Repair facility in Indiana. The report 
shall include an examination of Amtrak’s utilization of its 
existing facilities to determine the extent Amtrak is maxi-
mizing the opportunities for each facility, including any 
attempts to provide maintenance and repair to other rail 
carriers. In developing this report, the Amtrak Inspector 
General shall consult with other railroad carriers as it 
deems appropriate.
sponsibility for providing intercity passenger rail 
service. 
‘‘(2) CAPITAL
PROJECT.—The term ‘capital 
project’ means a project or program in a State rail 
plan developed under chapter 225 of this title for— 
‘‘(A) acquiring, constructing, improving, or 
inspecting equipment, track and track struc-
tures, or a facility for use in or for the primary 
benefit of intercity passenger rail service, ex-
penses incidental to the acquisition or construc-
tion (including designing, engineering, location 
surveying, mapping, environmental studies, and 
acquiring rights-of-way), payments for the cap-
ital portions of rail trackage rights agreements, 
highway-rail grade crossing improvements re-
lated to intercity passenger rail service, miti-
gating environmental impacts, communication 
and signalization improvements, relocation as-
sistance, acquiring replacement housing sites, 
and acquiring, constructing, relocating, and re-
habilitating replacement housing; 
‘‘(B) rehabilitating, remanufacturing or 
overhauling rail rolling stock and facilities used 
primarily in intercity passenger rail service;