US Rail Funding: Amtrak, FRA & $5B for Passenger Rail Safety

U.S. FRA launches the **National Rail Partnership Programme**, offering over $5 billion for vital **rail** safety enhancements. Funding targets grade crossing improvements and passenger rail upgrades.

US Rail Funding: Amtrak, FRA & $5B for Passenger Rail Safety
October 16, 2025 2:54 pm
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Introduction

The U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the National Rail Partnership Programme, allocating over USD 5 billion to enhance safety on intercity passenger rail networks.

Funding Allocation

The National Rail Partnership Programme will distribute more than USD 5 billion in funding. This includes projects focused on improving grade crossings, which currently experience over 2,000 incidents and 200 fatalities annually.

Programme Overview

The FRA is reissuing the NOFO for fiscal year 2024 and incorporating funding for the FY 2025 National Rail Partnership Programme. The FY 2024 NOFO was initially released last September as the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Programme. The reissued NOFO includes several significant modifications.

Eligible Projects

The programme offers federal funding to upgrade American passenger rail assets. Projects eligible for funding include those that enhance safety, such as grade crossing improvements, reduce the state-of-good-repair backlog, or improve overall performance.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for the National Rail Partnership Programme include States, groups of States, Interstate Compacts, public agencies or authorities established by States, political subdivisions of a State, and Amtrak, either independently or in collaboration with States.

Conclusion

The U.S. Federal Railroad Administration’s National Rail Partnership Programme is providing over USD 5 billion in funding to enhance safety and improve passenger rail assets. The program includes funding for FY2024 and FY2025 and is open to a variety of applicants, including states and Amtrak.

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Company Summary

Amtrak: Acts on its own behalf or under a cooperative agreement with one or more States and is an eligible applicant for the National Rail Partnership Programme.

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): Issued the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the National Rail Partnership Programme, allocating over USD 5 billion for intercity passenger rail safety improvements.

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