U.S. DOT FY 2026 Trump Budget Request Offers Good & Bad for Amtrak
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
wh.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The Trump Administration budget request for FY 2026 cuts funding for the NEC and increases funding for the national network.
The Trump Administration’s FY 2026 Budget was posted on Friday, May 30. Amtrak came away with a mixed bag in the budget.
First, the FY 2026 Northeast Corridor (NEC) budget was cut by 25%, from the 2025 amount of $1.14 billion to $850 million.
Second, the National Network’s budget increased from the 2025 amount of $1.29 billion, while the FY 2026 budget is requesting $1.58 billion.
The DOT/FRA Budget Estimates document says that “Amtrak’s operating expenses eclipsed $4.3 billion in FY 2024.1. Since 2019, Amtrak’s revenue growth of 9 percent has been significantly outpaced by operating expense increases of 29 percent. Under the leadership of President Trump, FRA will be reviewing avenues to close this gap.” There is not a specific reference to the reduction of NEC dollars, though.
For those who would like to read the FY 2026 Budget Highlights, you may read or download it via the interactive reader below. While this document covers other topics within DOT’s purview, check the table of contents for the rail-specific material.
In addition, for those who would like to read the DOT/FRA Budget Estimates document, you may read or download it from the interactive reader below.
