The State Supported Service Line is the division of Amtrak responsible for operating its intercity passenger train services shorter than outside the Northeast Corridor. Since 2008, federal law has required routes of this length to be financially sponsored by state or regional transportation authorities. , there are 32 state-supported routes sponsored by 23 partners in 20 states.
State-supported trains are typically faster and more frequent than Amtrak's long-distance routes, and are said to be competitive with flying and driving. The division is Amtrak's largest by ridership, representing about half of all passenger trips, and is also its fastest growing in the 2020s.
Nearly all new Amtrak routes inaugurated since 2008 have been state-supported. The company's newest route, the , first ran in August 2025 with funding from the Southern Rail Commission. Amtrak sees state-supported routes as its greatest opportunity for expansion, though its plans depend on state cooperation. State budget cuts can also result in routes being downgraded or discontinued.
History
The modern state-supported route system is a consequence of Section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.
Routes
NamePartnersRouteMiles (km) NYSDOTMontreal – New York WSDOT, ODOTVancouver – Eugene MassDOT, CTDOTSpringfield – New Haven Valley FlyerGreenfield – New Haven VTrans, MassDOT, CTDOTSt. Albans – Washington MassDOT, NYSDOTNew York – Pittsfield Michigan ServicesMDOTChicago – Port HuronChicago – Grand RapidsChicago – Pontiac MnDOT, WisDOT, IDOTSaint Paul – Chicago Amtrak CaliforniaCapitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, CaltransAuburn – San JoseSan Joaquin Joint Powers Authority, CaltransOakland – BakersfieldSacramento – BakersfieldLOSSAN, CaltransSan Luis Obispo – San DiegoNC By TrainNCDOTNew York – CharlotteRaleigh – Charlotte Northern New England Passenger Rail AuthorityBrunswick – Boston NYSDOTNew York – Niagara Falls NYSDOTNew York – Toronto VTrans, NYSDOTNew York – Burlington ODOT, TxDOTOklahoma City – Fort Worth WisDOT, IDOTChicago – Milwaukee Illinois ServiceIDOTChicago – CarbondaleIllinois Zephyrand Carl SandburgChicago – QuincyChicago – St. Louis PennDOTNew York – Harrisburg New York – Pittsburgh Southern Rail CommissionNew Orleans – Mobile MoDOTSt. Louis – Kansas City Amtrak VirginiaVirginia Passenger Rail AuthorityBoston – Newport NewsBoston – NorfolkBoston – Roanoke CDOTDenver – Winter Park Resort
References