Congressman Cohen Introduces Amtrak Food Service Improvement Bills

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today introduced the Train Furtherance of Outstanding Onboard Dining Act (Train FOOD Act) and the Train Establishment of Appetizing Table Service Act (Train EATS Act) to improve the dining experience on long-distance train routes across the country.

To renew the appeal of rail travel, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) required Amtrak to establish a Food and Beverage Working Group (FBWG), which included representatives from the company, onboard service workers, passenger advocates, and state partners. The FBWG issued a report to Congress last year outlining its recommendations to improve onboard food and beverage service, and Amtrak concurred with most of the recommendations in its response.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“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. 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.”

The Train FOOD Act would require Amtrak to report annually on its progress toward implementing FBWG recommendations. If Amtrak decides not to implement a recommendation, it must justify that decision, including a cost estimate if appropriate. The bill would also require a GAO report on implementation status.

The Train EATS Act would require Amtrak to maintain many of the passenger-friendly practices it already does. Specifically, it would require:

• Coach passengers to be able to access traditional (sit-down) dining on a space-available basis;
• Passengers to be able to pre-order meals that meet their dietary requirements as well as healthy meal options based on USDA guidelines; and
• An affordable food option, which is currently the café/lounge car.

“I applaud Rep. Cohen’s leadership in introducing the Train EATS Act to improve passenger experience on Amtrak,” said John Robert Smith, Chair of Transportation for America. “Providing passengers with healthy, affordable meal options is essential to making train travel more equitable and enjoyable for all passengers, sleeping car and coach alike. Transportation for America is proud to support this effort to create a more passenger-focused rail system.”

The Southern Rail Commission provided the following statement:

“The Southern Rail Commission is highly anticipating the launch of new passenger rail service serving our three member states in the coming months. And we understand that passengers want to experience high quality food and beverage service when travelling by rail. To that end, we commend and endorse Congressman Cohen’s house bill recommending more affordable and healthy food and beverage service for Amtrak’s long-distance routes and the formation of an advisory committee for evaluating the implementation of these practices. With the passage of this bill, passenger rail riders can anticipate high standards and accountability for Amtrak’s food and beverage services.”

“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 Association President Jim Mathews. “The Amtrak Food Service Improvement Bill takes important steps in ensuring those rights are met, and we thank Rep. Cohen for his leadership on behalf of the traveling public.” 

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