How Much Should Amtrak Be Reimbursed for Railroad Employees Using Passes To Ride Its Trains?

Amtrak has been providing free or reduced rate transportation to certain railroad employees, retirees, and their spouses and dependents since 1972. Pass riders are entitled to free or reduced rate travel, provided space is available. They travel free or at half fare depending on factors such as length of railroad employment, whether they are retired, and whether they are traveling on or off the rail lines of their home railroad. The Amtrak Reorganization Act of 1979 required the railroads to pay Amtrak 25 percent of the monthly average yield for each mile traveled by pass riders. The Act further required GAO to recommend the appropriate means to reimburse Amtrak for its costs, taking into account the value of the service provided.