Today the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $268,201,084 in funding for next generation passenger rail equipment for Iowa and states across the Midwest to replace aging equipment that will help improve reliability and spur ridership.

“I have long been a proponent of passenger rail and any help to expand the Midwest network will help make all rail lines more successful by encouraging increased ridership and promoting rail as a viable, convenient travel alternative,” said Loebsack. “Since Florida passed on this funding, Iowa can take advantage and move forward with passenger rail projects which will help spur economic growth and bring jobs to the region, improving the quality of life for Iowans.”

“I look forward to improved service and customer experience at our existing Amtrak stations in Burlington, Mt. Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola, and Creston. This new equipment will also help move forward the planned new intercity passenger rail line from Chicago to the Quad Cities and Iowa City and on to Des Moines and Omaha eventually,” added Loebsack.

This funding will be used to purchase 48 passenger rail cars and 7 locomotives across the Midwest including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Missouri. This equipment will replace obsolete equipment in order to improve the reliability and efficiency of rail service. The new cars and locomotives will be able to travel at speeds of 125 miles per hour.