Summary#
The All Aboard Act of 2025 creates new grant programs and rules to expand and electrify passenger and freight rail, reduce air pollution from railyards, and fund rail workforce training. It requires States to make rail plans and sets goals for zero-emission trains and locomotives (including targets for 2030, 2035, and 2047). The bill creates a Green Railroads Fund for competitive electrification projects, expands existing passenger-rail grant programs, and directs the EPA to run a railyard air pollution grant program. Projects funded under the bill must include public engagement, workforce transition plans, and certain labor protections such as project labor agreements and local hiring commitments. The bill also authorizes funding for Amtrak, railway-highway crossing improvements, and studies on co-locating electric transmission with rail corridors.
What it means for you#
- States and local agencies can apply for formula grants to plan, operate, and build rail service and infrastructure, including electrification. States must report how their plans support the bill's goals.
- Communities near railyards may see projects prioritized to reduce air pollution, especially in environmental justice communities. Projects must include public notice, meetings, and monitoring plans.
- Rail workers and contractors must be covered by wage rules and some projects must use project labor agreements and local hiring. The bill funds new training centers for passenger and freight rail jobs and requires transition plans for workers affected by projects.
- Amtrak and other intercity rail operators can receive funding to expand service, improve climate resilience, and electrify routes.
- Freight and passenger projects that add electrification infrastructure may get priority in several grant programs.
Expenses#
The bill authorizes specific sums for multiple programs for the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2025:
- State rail formula grants: $3,500,000,000
- Green Railroads Fund (competitive electrification grants): $50,000,000,000
- Federal-State Intercity Partnership program: $80,000,000,000
- Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) program additions: $30,000,000,000
- Amtrak funding: $30,000,000,000 (including $5,000,000,000 for climate resiliency)
- Railroad Crossing Elimination program: $10,000,000,000
- Restoration and Enhancement program: $1,000,000,000
- EPA railyard air pollution grants (Clean Air Act section 105): $500,000,000
- Rail workforce training program: $500,000,000
- The State formula also requires the Administrator to ensure each State receives not less than $5,000,000 annually over a 5-year period.
No publicly available information on estimated total federal outlays, offsets, or detailed budget scoring beyond these authorizations.
Proponents' View#
The bill frames its purpose as expanding passenger and freight rail, electrifying rail lines and locomotives, protecting public health (especially in environmental justice communities), improving climate resilience, reconnecting communities divided by rail, and supporting rail workers with training and labor protections. It sets clear targets for zero-emission trains and locomotives and prioritizes projects that reduce air pollution and build high-performance intercity rail.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.