routes longer than to only those that existed in 2008—such that an Act of Congress may be required to enable full restoration of the Pioneer. In June 2021, Senator Jon Tester of Montana added an amendment to the Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021 which would require the Department of Transportation (not Amtrak itself) to evaluate the restoration of discontinued long-distance routes including the Pioneer. The bill passed the Senate Commerce Committee with bipartisan support., and was later rolled into President Biden's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which was passed into law in November 2021. The report must be delivered to Congress within two years. The law also provides $2.4 billion in new funds to Amtrak's long-distance route network. On October 28, 2022, the Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study was announced by the Federal Railroad Administration. Its purpose is to evaluate the restoration and addition of discontinued and new long-distance passenger services, as well as the upgrading of tri-weekly long-distance services (the Sunset Limited and the Cardinal) to daily operation. The criteria for either restoring or creating new long-distance routes are that they connect large and small communities as part of a "regional rail network", provide economic and social well-being for rural areas, provide "enhanced connectivity" for the existing long-distance passenger trains, and reflect the support and engagement of the locals and region for restored long-distance passenger service. These criteria include the Pioneer, among other trains. The study will take place through 2023, and will engage with stakeholders, the rail companies, and communities as it "evaluates how to better connect people with long-distance rail services". Boise–Salt Lake City route In 2022, the IIJA enabled the Federal Railroad Administration to launch the Corridor ID Program, a system to develop new passenger rail services. Under the program, regional officials have proposed a new train route between Boise and Salt Lake City. The Pioneer was the last train service between these cities, covering the route in about 7.5 hours in 1991. Development of this route is additional to the full Pioneer restoration study. See also North Coast Hiawatha Desert Wind References External links Waiting for the Pioneer Presentation prepared by advocates for 2008 study. Former Amtrak routes Night trains of the United States Transportation in Seattle Railway services introduced in 1977 Passenger rail transportation in Illinois Passenger rail transportation in Iowa Passenger rail transportation in Nebraska Passenger rail transportation in Colorado Passenger