Amtrak Dining and Cafe Service Discussion 2025

[pennyk]

From January 4, 2025 forward, please post comments discussing Amtrak dining and cafe service here. For previous posts regarding Amtrak dining and cafe service, please refer to this thread, which is currently locked:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/amtrak-dining-and-cafe-service-discussion-2024-h2.87600/page-10

 

[Palmland]

Train's newswire had this today:
***********
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.
*************
It would be nice if this is passed but I doubt if it will get out of House Committee. It's sad that the government has to be involved in this type of micro management for things that Amtrak should be doing on their own initiative.

 

[BlackDiamond]

FOOD act? EATS act? I would be in favor of the NMFME Act (NO More Flex Meals Ever Act)

 

[Tom C]

The first provision is not a bad idea though Amtrak has kind of already started to do some of it in their budget requests. They made a request to restore traditional dining to the Eagle and even included dollar amounts. I’m not against either bill but I’m also not a huge fan of unfunded mandates like the second bill. It would be much more meaningful if it had some dollars with it for implementation as the obstacle is largely funding. And Congress kind of created the flex dining mess with the Mica provision. An unfunded mandate means Amtrak has to figure out how to pay for it which may mean pulling money from somewhere else.

 

[zetharion]

The first provision is not a bad idea though Amtrak has kind of already started to do some of it in their budget requests. They made a request to restore traditional dining to the Eagle and even included dollar amounts.......

Satan must be shopping for hoodie soon