Bill Summary
The "Train Establishment of Appetizing Table Service Act" (or "Train EATS Act") is a piece of legislation aimed at enhancing food and beverage services on Amtrak's overnight routes. The bill mandates that Amtrak provide two options for passengers: a traditional dining experience and a more affordable alternative food and beverage service.
Key provisions include:
1. **Traditional Dining**: Amtrak must offer traditional dining, which involves table service in a dedicated dining car, where passengers can enjoy meals prepared by wait staff. This service should include at least one healthy meal option and accommodate dietary restrictions if pre-ordered.
2. **Affordable Alternatives**: In addition to traditional dining, Amtrak is required to provide a more cost-effective food and beverage option for all passengers.
3. **Utilization of Capacity**: If traditional dining capacity is underutilized, Amtrak can offer available seats to Coach Class passengers on a first-come, first-served basis for a fee.
4. **Regulatory Oversight**: The Secretary of Transportation is tasked with developing necessary regulations to ensure the effective implementation of these requirements.
Overall, the bill seeks to improve the dining experience for Amtrak passengers on overnight journeys, providing variety and affordability in food options.
Possible Impacts
The **Train Establishment of Appetizing Table Service Act (Train EATS Act)** could affect people in several ways:
1. **Enhanced Dining Experience for Passengers**: By requiring Amtrak to offer traditional dining options, passengers traveling on overnight routes can enjoy a more pleasant and engaging meal experience. This could enhance the overall journey, making it more enjoyable for families, couples, and solo travelers who value dining as part of their travel experience.
2. **Affordability and Accessibility of Food Options**: The requirement for an alternative, more affordable food and beverage service ensures that all passengers have access to food options that fit their budgets. This could help lower-income travelers or those who are cost-conscious to afford nourishment during their trip, promoting inclusivity on Amtrak trains.
3. **Dietary Accommodations and Healthier Choices**: The Act mandates the availability of healthy meal options and meals that can accommodate specific dietary restrictions. This is particularly beneficial for passengers with dietary needs (e.g., vegetarians, vegans, those with food allergies) as it ensures they have suitable meal options available, promoting better health and dietary satisfaction during their journey.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 264 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 264
To amend title 49, United States Code, to require Amtrak to make
traditional dining and an alternative, more affordable food and
beverage service available to passengers on overnight routes of Amtrak,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 9, 2025
Mr. Cohen introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to require Amtrak to make
traditional dining and an alternative, more affordable food and
beverage service available to passengers on overnight routes of Amtrak,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Train Establishment of Appetizing
Table Service Act'' or the ``Train EATS Act''.
SEC. 2. FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE REQUIREMENTS ON OVERNIGHT ROUTES OF
AMTRAK.
(a) In General.--Chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 24324. Food and beverage service requirements on overnight
routes of Amtrak.
``(a) In General.--On each covered route, Amtrak shall make
available--
``(1) to the extend practicable, in accordance with
subsection (b), traditional dining; and
``(2) to all passengers an alternative food and beverage
service that is more affordable than traditional dining.
``(b) Priority of Traditional Dining Capacity.--On each covered
route on which traditional dining is available, Amtrak shall offer any
traditional dining capacity not otherwise used by passengers in First
Class or Business Class to passengers traveling in Coach Class (or
other base fare class ticket) for a fee on a first-come, first-serve
basis.
``(c) Traditional Dining Meal Options.--Amtrak shall ensure that
traditional dining on a covered route includes--
``(1) a healthy meal option; and
``(2) upon pre-order from a passenger to whom traditional
dining is offered, meals that satisfy the dietary restrictions
of the passenger.
``(d) Regulations.--The Secretary of Transportation shall issue
such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered route.--The term `covered route' means a rail
passenger transportation route operated by Amtrak that is
scheduled to depart and arrive on different dates.
``(2) Healthy meal option.--The term `healthy meal option'
means a meal the nutritional contents of which are consistent
with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans established under
section 301 of the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related
Research Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5341).
``(3) Traditional dining.--With respect to rail passenger
transportation, the term `traditional dining' means a food and
beverage service--
``(A) for which a passenger is seated at a table in
a car designated solely for such food and beverage
service to order and eat a meal; and
``(B) that is serviced by wait staff.''.
(b) Clerical Amendments.--The analysis for chapter 243 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
``24324. Food and beverage service requirements on overnight routes of
Amtrak.''.
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