All Aboard Act of 2025 (H.R. 4790)

Summary

Creates new grant programs and funds to modernize, electrify, and expand the nation's rail network, while also training workers and reducing pollution.

What problem does this solve?

The nation's rail system is old and causes pollution, making it a less popular choice for travel and shipping. This bill provides large amounts of money to build new electric rail lines, improve old ones, and make train travel faster and cleaner.

What does this bill do?

Establishes a state rail grant program

Creates a new program giving states money to develop rail plans, operate services, and maintain or expand train tracks.

Creates a $50 billion Green Railroads Fund

Sets up a new competitive grant program to help build electric rail lines, buy electric trains, and update rail yards with clean technology.

Sets goals for zero-emission trains

Aims for 50% of all trains to be zero-emission by 2030, all new trains by 2035, and all locomotives by 2047.

Authorizes $80 billion for passenger rail expansion

Provides a large increase in funding for the Federal-State Intercity Partnership program to build and improve passenger rail corridors.

Funds Amtrak with $30 billion

Gives Amtrak a significant budget increase over five years, including $5 billion specifically for projects that make the rail system tougher against climate change effects like floods.

Establishes rail workforce training centers

Creates new training centers for both passenger and freight rail workers to develop skills for new technologies, like electric locomotives, and improve safety.

Mandates strong labor requirements

Requires projects funded by the act to use project labor agreements, hire locally, and pay workers fair wages, ensuring strong protections for the workforce.

Creates a program to reduce railyard pollution

Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to create a grant program to help clean up air pollution from railyards, protecting nearby communities.

Funds railroad crossing safety

Authorizes $10 billion for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program to improve safety where roads and train tracks meet.

Who does this affect?

Rail workers and unions
State transportation agencies
Rail carriers (Amtrak, freight railroads)

What is the real world impact?

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Modernizes national rail infrastructure

Provides significant funding to upgrade and expand rail lines, making train travel a more competitive option against flying and driving for both people and goods.

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Promotes clean energy and reduces pollution

Encourages a shift to electric trains to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, especially in communities near railyards.

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Strengthens labor protections and creates jobs

Requires projects to use union labor and pay fair wages, while also creating training centers to develop a skilled rail workforce for the future.

When does this start?

Most funding is authorized for a five-year period starting on October 1, 2025.

Study on co-locating infrastructure

Requires a study on the benefits and challenges of placing electric transmission lines next to rail corridors within 180 days of the act becoming law.