State-supported Amtrak routes
Intercity train routes in the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The State Supported Service Line is the division of Amtrak responsible for operating its intercity passenger train services shorter than 750 miles (1,210 km) outside the Northeast Corridor. Since 2008, federal law has required routes of this length to be financially sponsored by state or regional transportation authorities. As of 2026[update], there are 32 state-supported routes sponsored by 23 partners in 20 states.
| State Supported Service Line | |
|---|---|
The Pacific Surfliner, Amtrak's most popular state-supported train, funded by Caltrans | |
| Overview | |
| Locale | Contiguous United States |
| Transit type | Inter-city rail |
| Number of lines | 32 |
| Operation | |
| Operator(s) | Amtrak |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Top speed | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
State-supported trains are typically faster and more frequent than Amtrak's long-distance routes, and are said to be competitive with flying and driving.[1] The division is Amtrak's largest by ridership, representing about half of all passenger trips, and is also its fastest growing in the 2020s.[2]
Nearly all new Amtrak routes inaugurated since 2008 have been state-supported. The company's newest route, the Mardi Gras Service, first ran in August 2025 with funding from the Southern Rail Commission.[3] Amtrak sees state-supported routes as its greatest opportunity for expansion,[1] though its plans depend on state cooperation.[4] State budget cuts can also result in routes being downgraded or discontinued.[5]
History
The modern state-supported route system is a consequence of Section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.[6][7]