Summary#
The All Aboard Act of 2025 creates new federal grant programs and requirements to expand and electrify passenger and freight rail, reduce air pollution from railyards, and build rail workforce training centers. It directs the Federal Railroad Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency to run programs that give money to States, rail carriers, Amtrak, Tribes, and other eligible entities. The bill sets goals such as achieving zero-emission locomotives by 2047 and moving toward 50% zero-emission trains by 2030 and all new trains by 2035. It requires public engagement, workforce transition plans, and labor protections for projects that receive funding.
What it means for you#
- States can apply for formula grants to plan, operate, and expand rail service, and to electrify rail lines. States must report how their plans support the bill's goals.
- Communities near railyards may be eligible for grants and protections aimed at reducing air pollution, with priority for environmental justice communities.
- Project applicants for electrification grants must include public notice plans, monitoring for public health and environment, and workforce transition plans.
- Funded projects must use project labor agreements, hire locally where required, and include certain crew and certification requirements for freight movement tied to grant funds.
- The bill funds new passenger and freight training centers and workforce programs including apprenticeships and skills training for zero-emission technologies.
Expenses#
- State Rail Formula Fund: $3,500,000,000 authorized for the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2025.
- Green Railroads Fund (competitive electrification grants): $50,000,000,000 authorized for the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2025.
- Federal-State Intercity Partnership program: $80,000,000,000 authorized for the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2025.
- Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) program: $30,000,000,000 authorized for the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2025.
- Amtrak funding: $30,000,000,000 authorized for the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2025, including $5,000,000,000 for climate resiliency projects.
- Railroad Crossing Elimination Program: $10,000,000,000 authorized for the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2025.
- Restoration and Enhancement Program: $1,000,000,000 authorized for the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2025.
- EPA railyard air pollution grants (Clean Air Act sections 103 and 105): $500,000,000 authorized for the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2025.
- Rail Workforce Training Program: $500,000,000 authorized for the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2025.
No publicly available information on estimated total federal spending beyond the authorizations listed in the bill text, nor on how funds will be allocated year-by-year.
Proponents' View#
The bill text frames goals and priorities to: support electrifying rail and achieving zero-emission locomotives, expand high-performance passenger rail, reduce air pollution in environmental justice communities, reconnect communities divided by rail, improve climate resilience of rail infrastructure, and develop a trained rail workforce through new training centers and apprenticeship programs.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.