Trump administration redirects $2.4B from California high-speed rail to national rail program

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Monday unveiled a new National Railroad Partnership Program aimed at boosting nationwide passenger rail traffic with a $5 billion funding pot. A cornerstone of the plan is the redistribution of roughly $2.4 billion that the Federal Railroad Administration previously pulled from California’s high-speed rail project, a move the administration says will accelerate improvements to rail service across the country. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the program would drop climate-change and diversity, equity and inclusion language from grant criteria and instead place safety and reliability at the forefront of funded projects, while prioritizing efforts that can meaningfully increase passenger use.

Officials said the largest portion of the package comes from the $4 billion redirected from California’s project, with the remainder drawn from funds announced in previous years and this year’s budget. The administration said the rules will prioritize projects in areas with higher birth and marriage rates and those that improve safety at railroad crossings. Duffy argued that the new approach aligns with executive orders that place a premium on policies benefiting American families, noting the program’s emphasis on practical safety improvements and a better traveling experience for families.

In response, California officials signaled opposition, arguing that funds earmarked for the high-speed rail project should not be repurposed. The California High-Speed Rail Authority said the FRA’s termination of federal funding for the project was unlawful and unwarranted, and spokespeople indicated imminent legal action to block the redirected money. “The FRA’s decision to terminate federal funding for California high-speed rail was unlawful, unwarranted, and is being challenged in federal court,” Micah Flores, a CHSRA spokesman, said in a statement. “The Authority has been prepared for this possibility and will take imminent legal action to block this misguided effort by the FRA.”

Beyond the legal dispute, the administration’s framing centers on safety and family-friendly improvements. The Federal Railroad Administration has noted that railroad crossings remain a priority because more than 200 people die each year in collisions at crossings, a statistic that underscores the cost of unsafe interactions between rail networks and road traffic. While the funding is framed as a boost for passenger service, officials acknowledged that some of the money will likely support upgrades on the nation’s major freight lines as Amtrak relies on tracks owned by freight railroads for most of its long-distance routes.

The program also pledges to fund improvements that enhance the overall passenger experience, such as nursing mother rooms, expanded waiting areas, and children’s play areas in stations. Applications for the money are due by Jan. 7, with the FRA indicating it will review projects that can deliver faster, safer, and more reliable rail service for travelers and local communities alike. Critics and supporters alike will watch closely for how the funds are allocated and whether the strategy translates into tangible gains in safety, efficiency, and ridership across the country.