WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) has introduced legislation aimed at improving dining on Amtrak trains.
H.R. 265, the Train Furtherance of Outstanding Onboard Dining act (Train FOOD Act) would require the company to report annual on progress toward implementing recommendations from the Food and Beverage Working Group created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. That group includes representatives from Amtrak, state partners, onboard workers, and passenger advocates. The bill would require Amtrak to justify decisions not to implement the group’s recommendations, including a cost estimate if appropriate. It would also require a Government Accountability Office report on implementation.
H.R. 264, the Train Establishment of Appetizing Table Service Act (Train EATS Act) would require that coach passengers be able to access traditional dining on long-distance trains on a space-available basis; an affordable food option, currently filled by the café/lounge car; and allow passengers to pre-order meals that meet their dietary requirements, as well as healthy meal options based on USDA guidelines.
“Many of us recall the civility and elegance of a meal in a train dining car,” Cohen said in a press release. “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.”
Both bills were introduced and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Jan. 9, 2025. Text for the bills has not yet been recorded to the Congress website.
