Information on Benefits and Funding Challenges for Service in Less Urbanized Communities (GAO-21-355R)
Summary
A GAO report, GAO-21-355R, dated April 1, 2021, addressed to the leaders of the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies, on commuter rail. It describes commuter rail as a widely used public transit alternative to driving between suburban communities and city centers, which transit agencies in many areas have extended to less urbanized communities. It notes that for people in those communities who cannot drive because of age, disabilities or income constraints, commuter rail may be critical to accessing essential services. The report gives information on the benefits of and funding challenges for such service.
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441 G St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20548
April 1, 2021
The Honorable Brian Schatz
Chairman
The Honorable Susan Collins
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
The Honorable David E. Price
Chairman
The Honorable Mario Diaz-Balart
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
House of Representatives
Commuter Rail: Information on Benefits and Funding Challenges for Service in Less
Urbanized Communities
Commuter rail is a widely used public transit alternative to driving between suburban
communities and city centers, and in many areas of the country transit agencies have extended
their service areas further out from city centers to less urbanized communities. 1 For people
living in less urbanized communities who cannot drive due to age, disabilities, or income
constraints, public transportation such as commuter rail may be critical to accessing essential
services. Every year, commuter rail passengers across the country take hundreds of millions of
trips not only to work, but also to school, medical appointments, recreational activities, and for
many other purposes. Our review included 31 commuter rail systems operating in the United
States. 2
Despite its benefits, providing commuter rail service to less urbanized areas can be challenging
for many reasons, including accommodating for low population densities and limited financial
resources. For example, in 2019, the Maryland Transit Administration notified the West Virginia
State Rail Authority that the agency would not continue to pay for the Maryland Area Regional
Commuter (MARC) train service to the stations located in less-urbanized communities in West
Virginia, based on declining operating revenue and costs associated with providing the service
1By “less urbanized” we are referring to areas specific to each commuter rail system that range from less populated
suburban communities to rural communities further out from major city centers.
2These commuter rail systems include certain hybrid rail systems and two legacy Amtrak lines (i.e., Downeaster and
Keystone Line), which are classified as commuter rail systems within the National Transit Database (NTD)
maintained by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and were identified to us as commuter rail systems by their
transit agencies. We did not include other Amtrak-affiliated systems such as the Hartford Line. The 31 commuter rail
systems in our report also do not include systems classified in the NTD as heavy rail. Some heavy rail systems may
also provide service connecting less urbanized areas to major city centers.
Page 1 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
to West Virginia. West Virginia ultimately used state and local funding sources to provide the
funds necessary to maintain operations.
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has financially affected all modes of
public transit. Beginning in March 2020, pandemic-related restrictions in some cities across the
United States, among other factors, resulted in steep declines in commuter rail ridership and
associated fare revenue. However, many transit agencies continued to provide commuter rail
service at reduced frequencies.
The explanatory statement accompanying the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020
includes a provision for us to review issues related to commuter rail in less urbanized
communities. 3 This report provides selected stakeholders’ views on:
• the benefits of providing commuter rail service to less urbanized communities;
• the challenges to providing commuter rail service to less urbanized communities; and
• the initial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the commuter rail industry.
In April 2020, we provided the relevant committees with information on the federal, state, and
local funding sources that can be used to support the operation of commuter rail systems, as
well as the federal funds expended by transit agencies in fiscal year 2018. This report finalizes
and formally transmits the information we previously provided (see enclosure I).
To determine the benefits and challenges associated with providing commuter rail service to
less urbanized areas, we conducted semi-structured interviews with and obtained
documentation from officials from 10 commuter rail agencies. 4 We selected the 10 agencies
based on diversity in system size and geographic region, and having a higher number of
stations located in less urbanized areas. We also conducted interviews with stakeholders—
including a local business organization, a community organization, a metropolitan planning
organization, a ridership group, and local government officials—from four of the regions
associated with the 10 commuter rail agencies. We interviewed officials from the American
Public Transportation Association (APTA) to obtain additional perspectives on how commuter
rail service benefits less urbanized communities in particular, and the challenges to providing
this service (see enclosure II for a list of commuter rail agencies and stakeholders interviewed). 5
We also interviewed officials from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to obtain information
on federal funding available for commuter rail.
To determine the initial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the commuter rail industry, we
interviewed officials from our 10 selected commuter rail agencies. Additionally, we collected and
reviewed data and other information, including information about any CARES Act funds
received, from all 31 commuter rail agencies. 6 We also analyzed monthly commuter rail
passengers’ boarding data from FTA’s National Transit Database (NTD) for all 31 commuter
railroads. We reviewed related documentation, interviewed knowledgeable agency officials to
validate NTD and cost data, and resolved identified data discrepancies. We found the data to be
3Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-94, 133 Stat 2534, 2933-73 (2019). The explanatory
statement accompanying that Act incorporated by reference Senate Report 116-109. 165 Cong. Rec. H11061,
H11454.
4For the purposes of our report, we will refer to transit agencies that operate commuter rail systems as “commuter rail
agencies.”
5APTA is an industry association that represents all modes of public transportation. More than 90 percent of people
using public transportation in the United States and Canada ride APTA member systems.
6CARES Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (2020).
Page 2 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
reliable for our purposes including summarizing changes in passenger boardings from
September 2018 to September 2020 and cost information for each commuter rail system.
We conducted this performance audit from November 2019 to April 2021 in accordance with
generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our
findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained
provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives.
Results in Brief
Stakeholders told us that commuter rail provides a number of economic and quality-of-life
benefits, particularly for communities in less urbanized areas. For example, commuter rail
agencies said that several large companies have chosen to locate along commuter rail corridors
to draw on the regional labor market, including its less urbanized areas. Stakeholders also said
that commuter rail could increase mobility and transportation options, as well as access to
employment and essential services for individuals who live in the service area. At the same
time, however, officials at commuter rail agencies with whom we spoke pointed to considerable
infrastructure and operational costs making commuter rail more expensive to provide compared
to some other transit modes. Supporting commuter rail in less urbanized communities may also
pose additional funding challenges for these commuter rail agencies and local communities. For
example, less populated areas may have difficulty raising the local match required to secure
federal funding for a transit project.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing funding challenges for commuter
rail agencies. Systems have experienced significant declines in ridership and associated fare
revenue, and in funding from state and local sales taxes. Commuter rail agencies reported to
NTD that ridership declined an average of 79 percent from September 2019 to September 2020.
In addition, some agencies told us that long-term shifts in commuting patterns and increased
teleworking among former riders could affect commuter rail funding long after the immediate
effects of the pandemic are over. For commuter rail agencies that rely largely on state and local
funding, continued declines in tax revenues will become increasingly challenging the longer the
pandemic lasts.
Stakeholders Cited Commuter Rail’s Economic and Quality-of-Life Benefits
Economic Benefits
All of the 10 commuter rail agencies we interviewed, as well as some stakeholders with whom
we spoke, cited economic benefits that commuter rail provides for both urban and less
urbanized communities, such as transit-oriented development and increased business
investment. Specifically, seven agencies noted the positive economic aspects of transit-oriented
development—compact, mixed-use, and walkable neighborhoods typically located within a half-
mile of a transit station. 7 Such developments range in both size and scope, with some located in
major urban centers and others in suburban neighborhoods. 8
7Mixed-use development mixes residential, commercial, cultural, or institutional uses on the same site or within close
proximity of one another.
8GAO, Public Transportation: Multiple Factors Influence Extent of Transit-Oriented Development, GAO-15-70
(Washington, D.C.: Nov. 18, 2014).
Page 3 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
For example, in August 2018, the Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA)
opened its first transit-oriented development station on the WeGo Star commuter rail system in
Lebanon, Tennessee, a growing suburban community about 30 miles east of Nashville. 9
According to RTA officials, the Hamilton Springs transit-oriented development includes 13,000
square feet of retail space, 396 luxury apartments, and a 260-unit complex designated for senior
residents. The $4.1 million station was the region’s first joint public-private transit development
project where a private developer provided the federal match funding. Since 2018, 312 more
apartment units have been constructed adjacent to the Hamilton Springs station, and the city’s
planning commission approved an additional 1,346 new housing units to be built within a mile of
the station.
In another example, according to Rio Metro Regional Transit District officials, RailRunner
stations in New Mexico’s tribal areas have created transit-oriented development investment
opportunities. Specifically, the Santo Domingo Tribal Housing Authority told us it received
federal funding and built 41 low-income housing units and added other amenities near the Kewa
Station, which is one of the least urbanized areas along the line.
In addition to the economic benefits of transit-oriented development, officials from several
commuter rail agencies we spoke with mentioned instances in which companies had chosen to
locate along commuter rail corridors. These decisions enabled the companies to draw on a
larger labor market including in less urbanized areas, provided workers in those areas access to
additional employment opportunities, and led to increased development around stations. For
example, according to Rio Metro Regional Transit District officials, Facebook decided to build its
six-building data center campus in Los Lunas, New Mexico, in part, because of the RailRunner
commuter rail system. Los Lunas is in a less urbanized area within the Albuquerque and Santa
Fe primary service area. However, Rio Metro officials told us that because of the commuter rail
system, Facebook was able to attract workers from a larger employment pool.
In another example, according to Capital Metro officials, MetroRail has been the catalyst for
development in Austin, Texas, with new construction of housing, entertainment centers, and
businesses around multiple commuter rail stations. In particular, technology companies, such as
Apple and Dell, have chosen to locate along the commuter rail system. Capital Metro officials
noted that development along the MetroRail system has occurred near stations in both
urbanized and less urbanized areas.
Quality-of-Life Benefits
Officials at all 10 commuter rail agencies and some stakeholders with whom we spoke
mentioned a range of quality-of-life benefits that commuter rail provides for both urban and less
urbanized communities, including increased mobility and transportation choices; greater
convenience and safety; and greater access to employment, education, and essential
services. 10 Officials at five of the agencies that we spoke with said that their commuter rail
system was the preferred travel option because it was the only transit mode in the corridor that
did not use a congested interstate or highway (as opposed to, for example, commuter buses).
According to officials at four of the 10 commuter rail agencies and two stakeholder groups,
commuter rail may also be a reliable and less stressful option than driving; be more comfortable
when compared to other transit alternatives, such as bus; and allow riders to work during their
commute and use their time effectively. According to APTA, traveling by commuter and intercity
9The WeGo Star was previously known as Music City Star.
10We previously reported that, in addition to economic benefits, transportation experts believe transit-oriented
development can increase access to employment, educational, cultural, and other opportunities and reduce road
congestion. GAO-15-70.
Page 4 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
passenger rail is also 18 times safer than traveling by car. 11 In addition to convenience and
safety, officials from nine of the 10 agencies noted that commuter rail can help reduce traffic
congestion in the regions they provide service.
Officials at seven of the 10 commuter rail agencies we spoke with cited the ability of residents to
live in less urbanized areas but still have access to what might be better job opportunities and
essential services in urban centers as a positive benefit of commuter rail service. For example,
the RailRunner system in New Mexico allows residents in economically disadvantaged tribal
areas to access education, services, and jobs. In addition, RailRunner officials noted that
access to essential services, like medical care, could result in better health outcomes for the
residents. As we previously reported, public transit plays a particularly important role for
transportation-disadvantaged populations, including those who cannot provide their own
transportation due to age, disability, or income constraints. 12
In another example, in 2019, the Maryland Transit Administration proposed discontinuing
MARC’s service to three stations located in West Virginia, based on declining operating revenue
and costs associated with providing the service to West Virginia. However, according to
members of the MARC Train Riders Advisory Committee we spoke with, West Virginia residents
stated that service to their communities is important to them, in large part because of the
quality-of-life benefits that the commuter rail service provides. For example, some West Virginia
riders had mobility limitations and could not drive; some did not have other commuting
alternatives; and some wanted to avoid the stress of traffic. According to the MARC Train Riders
Advisory Committee members, many community members said that they could not keep their
jobs without the train service. Moreover, some community members said the service allowed
them access to higher-paying jobs in Washington, D.C., than were available in the West Virginia
panhandle.
For more information about each of the 31 commuter rail systems and the less urbanized areas
they provide service to, see enclosures III and IV.
Commuter Rail Stakeholders Said That Systems Have High Costs and Providing Service
to Less Urbanized Areas Poses Additional Financial Challenges
Commuter Rail Systems Have High Capital and Operating Costs
Commuter rail officials said systems have high capital and operating costs compared to some
other transit modes such as bus service, because commuter rail generally uses more
infrastructure and equipment, such as tracks, bridges, passenger stations, rail cars, and
signaling and communications equipment. According to officials at half of the 10 commuter rail
agencies we spoke with, these higher infrastructure and equipment costs make commuter rail
systems less flexible in their ability to respond to ridership changes. Moreover, officials at some
commuter rail agencies we spoke with said right-of-way fees pose financial challenges. With
respect to right-of-way fees, commuter rail agencies often operate some or all of their trains as
“tenants” on the track of another railroad—such as Amtrak or a freight railroad—known as the
“host.” The tenant may pay the host fees to access, dispatch, and maintain the track
11Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association, hearing on “Challenges and
Opportunities for Commuter Railroads,” testimony before the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous
Materials, U.S. House of Representatives, 116th Cong., 1st sess., September 24, 2019.
12GAO, Transportation Disadvantaged Populations: Federal Coordination Efforts Could Be Further Strengthened,
GAO-12-647 (Washington, D.C.: June 20, 2012).
Page 5 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
infrastructure, depending on the arrangement. For example, Metrolink in Southern California
pays these types of fees to host freight railroads on 44 percent of its total route miles. Other
transit modes do not need to pay to use their right-of-way; for instance, bus systems do not
need to pay to drive on public roads. 13 As such, it may be challenging for commuter rail
agencies to alter their scheduled service in response to changes in ridership demand, in part
due to restrictions in their agreements with other track users.
Additionally, commuter rail agencies face costs unique to the transit industry, such as those
associated with positive train control (PTC), a safety technology designed to prevent certain
types of rail accidents. PTC technology can automatically slow or stop a train that is not being
operated safely due to some types of operator errors or a switch left in the wrong position.
Officials at three of the 10 commuter rail agencies we spoke with noted that installing and
maintaining their PTC systems significantly adds to overall capital and operating costs,
potentially affecting the ability to extend the service area. 14 One commuter rail agency official
said that, to install PTC by the federal deadline, the agency had delayed other work on the
system. The agency estimates that its ongoing annual PTC maintenance costs will be
approximately $3-to-$4 million dollars, which could be as high as 14 percent of its annual
operating budget.
Opportunities to Cover Commuter Rail Costs Are Limited for Less Urbanized Communities
Officials from the majority of commuter rail agencies (six of 10) we spoke to said it is difficult to
cover costs in less urbanized areas because their agencies are unable to generate the same
ridership, revenue, or return on investment when compared to urban areas. Consequently, fares
cover a smaller share of the service’s costs in more remote areas than in those closer to the city
center. According to officials from two commuter rail agencies, it can be hard to justify service
expansions to less populated areas because commuter rail agencies want to invest in projects
with the largest ridership potential to maximize the investment. For example, even if a system
achieves stable ridership in a less urbanized area, it may not result in substantial fare revenue.
Four agencies commented that the high upfront costs and unknown return on investment
contributed to the difficulty in providing or expanding service to less urbanized areas.
Officials at four of the 10 commuter rail agencies we spoke with regarding ridership and revenue
said that many individuals in less urbanized communities tend to have car-dependent lifestyles,
which can make it difficult to establish ridership. For example, Metrolink officials said its
commuter rail system connects with numerous other transit providers across Southern
California. However, officials noted that there are certain stations where no local transit options,
such as bus transportation, are available to get people to the rail station. Though the stations
may offer free parking, taking a personal vehicle or using a ride-sharing service to get to the
station may not be possible or cost-effective for everyone. Some commuters simply may view
driving the whole trip distance, without using commuter rail, as more convenient.
Several stakeholders told us that raising local funds for commuter rail operations may be further
complicated when systems extend beyond county or state lines, requiring additional
coordination among local jurisdictions or cross-state payments to commuter rail agencies. For
13While buses are typically exempt from paying tolls on public roads, they may be subject to other costs and fees,
such as a fuel tax on diesel, which is deposited into the Highway Trust Fund, and ultimately funds both highways and
transit programs.
14PTC is a communications-based system designed to prevent certain types of rail accidents caused by human
factors, including train-to-train collisions; trains entering established work zones, which could cause roadway worker
casualties or equipment damage; and derailments caused by exceeding safe speeds. On December 29, 2020, the
Federal Railroad Administration announced that PTC technology is in operation on all required freight and passenger
railroad route miles, prior to the December 31, 2020, statutory deadline.
Page 6 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
example, as mentioned, the Maryland Transit Administration considered cutting service to its
West Virginia stations in 2019. According to representatives from the MARC Train Riders
Advisory Committee, residents of West Virginia were divided over what they should have to
contribute to the cost of operating the service, relative to the perceived local benefits. As noted
above, West Virginia provided the funding that the Maryland Transit Administration requested to
operate MARC’s West Virginia service, and the parties entered a 5-year agreement to continue
existing levels of MARC service to West Virginia.
Commuter rail officials said agencies can also face difficulties securing capital funding for transit
projects in less urbanized areas. Federally funded projects often require a 20-percent local
match—from state or local appropriations, or dedicated tax revenues—which can be difficult to
raise in a lower-density, less urbanized area where funding sources are already limited. For
example, according to Frontrunner officials in Utah, the more rural the community, the longer it
takes to build the tax base to financially support the local match component for expansions to
the commuter rail system. These officials said such communities are often dependent on the
urban areas, which also benefit from the expansion, to help with funding. Given commuter rail’s
relatively high capital and operating expenses, agencies that are considering expanding their
system need to justify the additional costs relative to the potential economic and quality-of-life
benefits previously discussed.
Stakeholders Said the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Exacerbated the Funding Challenges of
Commuter Rail Systems
During the COVID-19 pandemic, commuter rail systems have experienced significant declines
in ridership. 15 As seen in figure 1 below, starting in March 2020, passenger boardings for the 31
commuter rail systems dramatically dropped.
Figure 1: Passenger Boardings for 31 Commuter Rail Systems in the United States (September 2018-
September 2020)
15Due to a variety of factors, most notably the unprecedented and ongoing nature of the pandemic and the variability
of stay-at-home orders in cities and states across the United States, we were unable to quantify effects (beyond total
passenger boardings) for commuter rail systems or to differentiate relative effects for more or less urbanized areas.
Page 7 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Notes: The number of passenger boardings among the 31 transit systems ranged from 23,927 to 8,311,522 in
September 2018 and 0 to 2,885,817 in September 2020.
Larger commuter rail systems may account for a larger proportion of the decline in passenger boardings from
September 2018 to September 2020.
Commuter rail systems nationwide reported to NTD that ridership declined an average of 79
percent from September 2019 to September 2020 (see enclosure IV for more detailed
information on passenger boardings for each commuter rail system). 16 Officials at nine of the 10
commuter rail agencies we interviewed noted their ridership losses, and the tenth agency said
that it shut down its system completely due to COVID-19 concerns. 17 Because a commuter rail
system is generally designed to transport a large number of people from outlying areas to and
within urban centers, pandemic-related restrictions, among other factors, significantly affected
these services. One transit agency told us that across all its transit modes, ridership had
declined the most on its commuter rail system; in June 2020, ridership for this system had
declined 98 percent from the same month in the previous year, as reported to NTD.
Commuter rail agencies that were largely dependent on fare revenue for their operations were
immediately affected when ridership fell, and continue to experience financial losses. For
example, one agency received 57 percent of its total funding from fares in 2019, but its
September 2020 ridership remained 82 percent down from the previous year, causing a
significant drop in its primary revenue source. As of June 2020, eight of the 10 commuter rail
agencies we spoke with had experienced significant declines in funding for their operations,
including fare revenue.
Commuter rail systems have also experienced declines in state and local funding sources,
particularly sales tax receipts used to help fund transit systems. State and local funding sources,
as well as revenue from agency-generated activities, are often used to fund commuter rail
operating costs (see enclosure V for more information). As previously discussed, commuter rail
agencies may already face difficulties securing the local and federal funds needed for transit
projects. According to a transit association, some of its member agencies were anticipating
billions of dollars in losses from depressed sales tax and lower revenue from other agency-
generated activities, such as parking.
For many of the systems that rely largely on state and local funding to operate, continued
declines in these sources of funding will become more challenging the longer the pandemic
lasts. Officials at all 10 commuter rail agencies were concerned about the pandemic’s long-term
economic effects on their systems and were unsure how long it would take for important state
and local funding sources like sales tax to return to pre-pandemic levels. When we spoke with
them in May and June 2020, officials at two of the agencies said they were assuming it would
take over a year, or even multiple years, to reach pre-pandemic funding levels.
The uncertainty of the pandemic is also affecting current levels of commuter rail service, as well
as plans to expand service. Prior to the pandemic, officials at seven of the 10 commuter rail
agencies we spoke with had plans to expand their systems in the next 3 fiscal years. Officials at
four of these seven agencies stated that the pandemic had delayed those plans for the
foreseeable future. Further, the uncertainty of the pandemic may affect transit agencies’ service
overall. According to a September 2020 APTA survey of 128 transit agency members, almost
16September 2020 ridership across these 30 commuter rail systems in operation was between 55 and 96 percent
below September 2019 ridership levels.
17Rail Runner Express service was suspended on March 14, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed
service at a reduced schedule on March 8, 2020.
Page 8 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
two-thirds of the agencies across all transit modes are considering service cuts to close funding
gaps. In addition, 8 out of 10 large transit agencies that responded to the survey are considering
delaying, deferring, or cancelling planned capital projects. 18
As the pandemic continues, some commuter rail agencies are exploring new technologies to
help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among their passengers and employees. For example,
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which operates the Metro-North and
the Long Island Rail Road commuter rail systems, is piloting a new technology to filter and purify
air inside its trains to destroy airborne viruses and bacteria, including the virus that causes
COVID-19. An MTA official told us the new technology will improve the agency’s existing
filtration system for its trains and use an electrical field to destroy airborne viruses and
particulates.
Further, according to this MTA official, the new filtering and purifying system will have benefits
well after the COVID-19 pandemic is over as it can kill flu viruses and bacteria that cause
common illnesses. We previously reported that transit agencies have taken steps to help
mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among passengers and employees, including enhanced
cleaning and sanitation of vehicles, providing and requiring face masks, practicing social
distancing on vehicles, and suspending fare collection. 19 Transit agencies will likely have to
continue these types of measures while the pandemic persists and may choose to continue
some of these measures after the pandemic ends.
To help mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, some commuter rail
agencies have relied on relief funding through the 2020 CARES Act. 20 Twenty-seven of the 31
commuter rail agencies reported that they had used CARES Act funding as of October 2020. 21
According to APTA’s September 2020 survey of transit agencies, CARES Act funds allowed
agencies to maintain transit operations and helped limit employee furloughs. 22 We previously
reported that as of September 2020, 90 percent of CARES Act transit industry funds had been
obligated by recipients for operating expenses. 23
In the long term, commuter rail agencies may need to reassess their pre-pandemic service
levels. For example, officials at seven of the 10 commuter rail agencies we spoke with said
long-term shifts in commuting patterns, such as increased teleworking among former riders,
could affect their service long after the immediate effects of the pandemic are over. Accordingly,
it is unclear how the economic and quality-of-life benefits commuter rail service provides to
riders may change if lower levels of ridership persist.
18APTA, COVID-19 Pandemic Threatens Public Transit Jobs and Service (September 2020).
19GAO, COVID-19: Urgent Actions Needed to Better Ensure an Effective Federal Response, GAO-21-191
(Washington, D.C.: Nov. 30, 2020).
20Pub. L. No. 116-136, 134 Stat. at 599. Since passage of the CARES Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of
2021 has provided additional funding for commuter rail agencies. Pub. L. No. 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182 (2020).
21The CARES Act appropriated $25 billion to the FTA to support the transit industry through the FTA’s Urbanized
Area and Rural Area formula programs. Funds were allocated to recipients of those formula funds.
22APTA, COVID-19 Pandemic Threatens Public Transit Jobs and Service (September 2020).
23GAO-21-191.
Page 9 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Agency Comments
We provided a draft of this report to the Department of Transportation for review and comment.
The Department of Transportation provided technical comments, which we incorporated as
appropriate.
____________
We are sending copies of this report to the appropriate congressional committees, the Secretary
of Transportation, and other interested parties. In addition, the report is available at no charge
on the GAO website at http://www.gao.gov.
If you or your staff have any questions about this report, please contact me at (202) 512-2834 or
vonaha@gao.gov. Contact points for our Offices of Congressional Relations and Public Affairs
may be found on the last page of this report. GAO staff who made major contributions to this
report include Brandon Haller (Assistant Director); Catherine Kim (Analyst in Charge);
Oluwaseun Ajayi; Melissa Greenaway; Dan Luo; John Mingus; Malika Rice; Laurel Voloder; and
Elizabeth Wood.
Andrew Von Ah
Director
Physical Infrastructure
Enclosures – 5
Page 10 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Enclosure I: Information on Transit and Commuter Rail Funding Programs
In response to a provision in the explanatory statement accompanying the Further Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2020 for GAO to review issues related to commuter rail in less urbanized
communities, this enclosure identifies available sources of federal funding to support the
operation of commuter rail services. 24
Because commuter rail service is provided by some transit agencies that operate multiple
modes of transit, table 1 identifies the federal funding sources available to transit agencies for
all transit modes including commuter rail as of April 2020. 25 Other federal funding sources may
also benefit transit agencies, such as programs for freight railroads or for safety and security. 26
However, this table focuses on the federal sources that transit agencies generally use to fund
their transit capital and operating expenses. Some of these programs also require a local match.
The table is grouped by funding sources that can be used for operating expenses and other
available funding sources.
Table 2 provides a listing of the federal funds expended in fiscal year 2018 as reported by
transit agencies to the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) National Transit Database
(NTD). 27 The table includes 32 transit agencies that provide commuter rail services. 28 Many of
these agencies also provide additional transit services beyond commuter rail. Because NTD
reporting is done at the transit agency level, we are unable to identify what portion of the federal
funds were specifically spent on commuter rail projects as compared to other transit projects.
Additionally, the table includes a variety of information and it is important to note that:
• The table includes four FTA funding programs individually reported to NTD that can be
used for commuter rail service (as described in table 1). In addition, the table includes a
combined category of funds from other Department of Transportation (DOT) grant
programs (such as the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air
Quality (CMAQ) program and the Transportation Investment Generating Economic
Recovery (TIGER) discretionary program).
• The sources listed are not exhaustive of all federal funding received and expended by
transit agencies in fiscal year 2018, given these transit agencies may also receive funds
from other federal programs that are not eligible to be spent on commuter rail (e.g.,
formula funds for buses and bus facilities).
• For the Urbanized Area and Rural Area Formula Grant Programs, transit agencies report
to NTD whether the funds were expended for operating and maintenance costs or
24The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020, was
enacted as Division H of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-94 (2019). The
explanatory statement accompanying that Act incorporated by reference Senate Report 116-109. GAO provided the
information contained in this enclosure to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations to satisfy the 120-day
provision for GAO to review issues related to commuter rail in small and rural communities. 165 Cong. Rec. H11061,
H11454 (daily ed. Dec. 17, 2019) (explanatory statement submitted by Rep. Lowey, Chairwoman of the House
Committee on Appropriations, regarding H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020).
25The listed federal funding sources do not include any funds made available to commuter rail or transit agencies by
the CARES Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (2020), and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No.
116-260, 134 Stat. 1182 (2020).
26For example, Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grants and funding reserved for the deployment of positive train
control through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program.
27This was the most recent year of data available from FTA at the time of this analysis.
28These 32 transit agencies provide financial support to 31 commuter rail systems.
Page 11 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
capital costs, but do not report on what mode of service a particular source of funds
were spent. While the Rural Area Formula Grant Program can also be used for operating
and maintenance costs, only the Delaware Transit Corporation reported using $189,147
in fiscal year 2018 for that purpose.
Figure 2 shows the federal funding these transit agencies’ expended in fiscal year 2018 on
operating and maintenance costs compared to capital costs. We used transit agencies’ NTD
reporting to determine this breakdown.
Table 3 describes three different federal financing tools that may be used for commuter rail
projects, as of April 2020, in addition to the federal programs identified.
Table 4 lists sources of state and local funding that the National Conference of State
Legislatures and DOT identified that transit agencies may use to help fund their commuter rail
operations as of April 2020. Most transit agencies rely on additional funding sources beyond
federal programs.
Page 12 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Table 1: Federal Funding Sources Available for Commuter Rail as of April 2020
Fiscal year
(FY) 2019
Type of Allowable project funds FY 2020 funds
Program Description Source of funds allocation types available available
Funding sources available for operating expenses
In general, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) classifies operating expenses as costs necessary to operate, maintain, and manage a public transportation
system to include driver salaries, fuel, and other items with a useful life of less than one year.
FTA Urbanized Area Funding for public transportation in urbanized Highway Trust Formula Capital, planning, $5.3 billion $5.4 billion
Formula Grants areas (UZA) with populations of 50,000 or more. Fund job access and
(5307) Distribution factors are more complex if population reverse commute,
is less than 200,000. Eligible recipients are states operations.
or government authorities for one or more UZAs.
Operating assistance for commuter rail is limited to:
maintenance expenses; operating expenses in
UZAs under 200,000 people; and security
expenses (up to 1 percent of funds).
FTA Rural Area Funding to states and Indian tribes for public Highway Trust Formula Capital, planning, $783 million $797 million
Formula Program transportation outside of urbanized areas, Fund job access and (includes Rural (includes Rural
(5311) specifically areas with populations less than reverse commute, Area Formula Area Formula
50,000. Eligible applicants include states and operations Grants, Tribal Grants, Tribal
Indian tribes. Eligible sub-recipients include a state Transit Formula Transit
or local government authority, a nonprofit Grants, Tribal Formula
organization, an operator of public transportation, Transit Grants, Tribal
or intercity bus service that receives Federal transit Competitive Transit
program grant funds indirectly through a recipient. Grants, and Competitive
Appalachian Grants, and
Program Appalachian
Grants) Program
Grants)
Page 13 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Fiscal year
(FY) 2019
Type of Allowable project funds FY 2020 funds
Program Description Source of funds allocation types available available
Federal Highway Funding for transportation projects and other Highway Trust Formula Capital, emissions $2.4 billion $2.5 billion
Administration related efforts that contribute to air quality Fund reduction,
(FHWA) Congestion improvements and provide congestion relief in operations,
Mitigation and Air nonattainment or maintenance areas. Funds are planning, and
Quality Improvement distributed to states under the program. States that project
(CMAQ) Program have no such designated areas still receive a development
minimum apportionment of funding for either air
quality projects or other elements of flexible
spending.
FTA Emergency Funding provided to states, territories, and transit General Fund N/A Capital, operations Based on need Based on need
Relief Program agencies after a federally-declared emergency or
disaster. Funding is given to public transportation
agencies that have experienced serious damage to
transit assets.
Other available funding sources
Department of Funding awarded for surface transportation General Fund Competitive Capital, planning $900 million $1 billion
Transportation (DOT) projects that have a significant impact in local and
Better Utilizing regional communities. Not more than 50 percent of
Investments to FY 2019 funds could be awarded to projects in
Leverage rural areas. In 2020, eligible applicants include
Development state, local, and tribal governments, including
(BUILD) transit agencies and other subdivisions of state or
Transportation Grants local governments.
Previously known as the DOT Transportation
Investment Generating Economic Recovery
(TIGER) discretionary grant program.
Page 14 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Fiscal year
(FY) 2019
Type of Allowable project funds FY 2020 funds
Program Description Source of funds allocation types available available
FHWA Surface Funding to states and localities for projects that Highway Trust Formula Capital $11.9 billion $12.1 billion
Transportation Block preserve and improve conditions on any federal-aid Fund
Grant Program highway, bridges and tunnels on any public road
and transit capital projects, among other things.
FTA Capital Funding to support the construction of new rail, bus General Fund Competitive Capital $2.5 billion $2.0 billion
Investment Grant rapid transit, and ferry systems, and to expand
Program (5309) existing systems. Program includes four types of
projects: New Starts, Small Starts, Core Capacity,
and Interrelated Projects. States and local
government authorities are eligible recipients.
FTA State of Good High Intensity Fixed Guideway funding distributes Highway Trust Formula Capital $2.9 billion $2.7 billion
Repair Grant approximately 97 percent of the funds in this Fund
Program (5337) program for maintaining rail, bus rapid transit,
trolleybus, and ferry systems. High Intensity
Motorbus funding distributes approximately 3
percent of the funds in this program for bus service
operated in high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
FTA distributes funds to designated recipients in
UZAs according to a statutory formula. Eligible
recipients are states and local government
authorities in urbanized areas with fixed guideway
and high intensity motorbus systems in revenue
service for at least seven years.
Source: GAO presentation of Congressional Research Service, DOT, FHWA, and FTA information. | GAO-21-355R
Page 15 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Table 2: Fiscal Year 2018 Federal Funds Expended by Transit Agency
Funds
Federal Transit FTA Urbanized FTA Rural received from
Agency (FTA) Area Formula Area other
State(s) Capital FTA Urbanized Grant Program Formula Department of
in Investment FTA State of Area Formula (5307) - Operations Grant Transportation
Associated commuter rail service Grant Program Good Repair Grant Program (including Program grant
Transit agency system(s) area (5309) Program (5337) (5307) maintenance) (5311) programsa
Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) ACE CA — $4,441,341 $3,808,018 — — —
Capital Metropolitan Transportation
Authority MetroRail TX $1,295,501 $3,240,983 — $51,581,985 — $7,097,321
Florida Department of Transportation SunRail FL $25,077,832 — $883,000 $9,284,563 — —
Central Puget Sound Regional
Transit Authority Sounder WA $110,922,978 $13,442,514 $41,738,714 — — —
Shore Line East
Connecticut Department of Metro-North Commuter Railroad CT, NY
Transportation Company (New Haven Line) — — $95,560,038 $11,776,549 — —
Dallas Area Rapid Transit Trinity Railway Express TX $7,180,734 $8,624,644 $62,834,835 — — $6,141,272
Southeastern Pennsylvania
Transportation Authority DE, NJ,
Delaware Transit Corporation (SEPTA) PA $884,935 — $3,202,905 $5,295,400 $2,105,460 —
Denton County Transportation
Authority A-train TX — — $1,560,047 $2,778,978 — —
Denver Regional Transportation
District (RTD) Denver RTD CO $13,392,863 $16,809,391 $19,206,622 $66,523,738 — —
TEXRail
Fort Worth Transportation Authority Trinity Railway Express TX $192,405,607 — $13,884,188 — — —
Maryland Area Regional DC, MD,
Maryland Transit Administration Commuter (MARC) Train WV $4,585,648 $78,321,352 $110,220,251 $17,860,399 — —
Massachusetts Bay Transportation
Authority (MBTA) MBTA MA, RI $98,090,473 $71,761,708 $152,818,631 — — —
Metro Transit Northstar MN $2,237,302 $5,335,874 $27,333,343 $19,787,047 — —
Metro-North Commuter Railroad Metro-North Commuter Railroad CT, NJ,
Company Company NY $9,151,692 — $43,355,235 — — $1,712,301
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
(MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) NY $66,151,001 — $48,504,687 — — $1,419,599
NJ TRANSIT
New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Metro-North Commuter Railroad NJ, NY,
TRANSIT) Company PA $115,247,179 $196,755,625 — $409,024,742 — —
COASTER
North County Transit District SPRINTER CA $312,179 $14,174,830 $4,847,352 $11,422,652 $424,310 —
Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Metropolitan Rail Corporation
Railroad Corporation (Metra) IL $5,611,450 $75,880,927 $61,105,003 — — —
Northern Indiana Commuter
Transportation District South Shore Line IN, IL — $10,959,033 — $5,588,738 — —
Page 16 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Table 2: Fiscal Year 2018 Federal Funds Expended by Transit Agency
Funds
Federal Transit FTA Urbanized FTA Rural received from
Agency (FTA) Area Formula Area other
State(s) Capital FTA Urbanized Grant Program Formula Department of
in Investment FTA State of Area Formula (5307) - Operations Grant Transportation
Associated commuter rail service Grant Program Good Repair Grant Program (including Program grant
Transit agency system(s) area (5309) Program (5337) (5307) maintenance) (5311) programsa
Northern New England Passenger MA, ME,
Rail Authority Downeaster NH — $5,617,416 $6,088,017 — — $2,068,274
Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers
Board Caltrain CA $116,323,453 $26,576,240 $33,704,018 — — $179,844
Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation Keystone Line NY, PA $7,201,124 $202,740 $2,935,762 — — —
Regional Transportation Authority WeGo Star TN — — $3,357,183 $3,202,706 — —
New Mexico Rail Runner
Rio Metro Regional Transit District Express NM $135,632 $4,022,302 $1,081,432 $9,008,994 $975,686 $2,853,711
Riverside County Transportation
Commission Metrolink CA — — — — — —
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit
(SMART) District SMART CA $6,224,263 — $3,102,133 — — $2,280
South Florida Regional
Transportation Authority Tri-Rail FL $739,331 $16,689,605 $6,936,151 $11,515,931 — $4,000,000
Southeastern Pennsylvania DE, NJ,
Transportation Authority (SEPTA) SEPTA PA $13,203,030 $39,368,967 $150,046,085 $74,749,993 — —
Southern California Regional Rail
Authority
Metrolink CA $4,580,050 $32,751,263 — — — $3,914,911
Tri-County Metropolitan
Transportation District of Oregon Westside Express Service OR — $37,521,137 $209,864 $78,344,658 — $24,000
Utah Transit Authority FrontRunner UT $20,621,158 $14,435,858 $44,419,452 — — $7,741,606
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) VRE DC, VA $753,728 $6,412,194 $7,815,892 $9,767,388 — $172,656
Total $822,329,143 $683,345,944 $950,558,858 $797,514,461 $3,505,456 $37,327,775
Legend: — = Transit agency did not expend fiscal year 2018 funds for this program.
Source: GAO analysis of Department of Transportation and National Transit Database data. | GAO-21-355R
Note: The sources listed are not exhaustive of all federal funding received and expended by transit agencies in fiscal year 2018, since these transit agencies may also receive funds
from other federal programs that are not eligible to be spent on commuter rail (e.g., formula funds for buses and bus facilities).
a
This combined category of funds includes other Department of Transportation grant programs including the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
(CMAQ) program and the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary program.
Page 17 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Figure 2: Fiscal Year 2018 Federal Funds Expended (All Transit Modes, Including Commuter Rail)
Page 18 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Table 3: Federal Financing Tools for Commuter Rail as of April 2020
Program Description Allowable project types
DOT Transportation Infrastructure Finance Credit assistance for transportation projects of regional and national significance. Rehabilitation, capital, and planning.
and Innovation Act (TIFIA)
Offers three types of financial assistance: direct loans, loan guarantees, and standby
lines of credit.
DOT Railroad Rehabilitation and Direct loans and loan guarantees to finance the development of railroad infrastructure. Rehabilitation, capital, planning, and
Improvement Financing (RRIF) refinancing.
DOT Private Activity Bonds (PAB) Government-issued tax-exempt bonds used to finance certain projects that would Any surface transportation project receiving
otherwise be classified as “private activities.” May also be issued for public federal assistance under Title 23 of the
transportation projects that receive TIFIA assistance. U.S. Code, deals with highways and
infrastructure finance.
Source: GAO presentation of Department of Transportation information. | GAO-21-355R
Table 4: State and Local Funding Sources for Commuter Rail as of April 2020
Funding source Description
Motor Fuel Tax Tax levied on gasoline and diesel motor fuel. Commonly distributed via a state transportation fund for public transportation
and infrastructure.
Dedicated Specific Fees/Taxes Direct fee or tax for public transportation, such as a percentage of new motor vehicle registration fees, motor vehicle sales
tax revenues, value capture mechanisms such as land or property value assessments in station catchment areas, or rental
car taxes.
State Transportation Fund Dedicated fund for transportation. Funding may be restricted for use on highways and roads, or a percentage may be
dedicated to public transportation. May be funded from a variety of sources, such as sales taxes, motor fuel taxes, or
specific fees.
State General Fund General funds are not dedicated by law to a specific purpose, and may be allocated by a state legislature for transportation
purposes. May be funded through a variety of sources, including property, income, business, and sales taxes.
Regional Transportation Authorities Political subdivisions of states that can combine efforts of multiple municipalities. Some regional transportation authorities
have taxing authority to fund public transportation in the combined area.
State and Local Bonds Debt financing tool consisting of a state’s or locality’s obligation that can be used to finance transportation projects.
Source: GAO presentation of information from the Department of Transportation and the National Conference of State Legislatures. | GAO-21-355R
Page 19 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Enclosure II: Commuter Rail Agencies and Stakeholders Interviewed
Selected Commuter Rail Agencies
FrontRunner – Utah
Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Train – Maryland, Washington, D.C.
Metrolink – California
Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company – New York
MetroRail – Texas
New Mexico Rail Runner Express – New Mexico
Northstar – Minnesota
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) – California
Sounder – Washington
WeGo Star – Tennessee
Stakeholders
American Public Transportation Association - National industry association for transit
Austin Chamber of Commerce - Business organization in MetroRail’s service area
City of Windsor - Local city government in SMART’s service area
MARC Riders Advisory Committee - Ridership group representing MARC
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) - Metropolitan planning organization for SMART’s
service area
Santo Domingo Tribal Housing Authority - Community organization in New Mexico Rail Runner Express’
service area
Page 20 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Enclosure III: Commuter Rail Systems in the United States
Table 5: Information on Commuter Rail Systems in the United States as of December 2020 (Listed Alphabetically)
Total
Year Only passenger
State(s) in open to operates Number Total boardings
Commuter rail Transit Primary service public commuter Number of directional (fiscal year
system agency service area area service rail of lines stations route miles 2019)
Altamont Corridor Stockton-San CA 1998 ✓ 1 10 172 1,506,183
Express (ACE) ACE Jose, CA
Denton County Denton TX 2011 ✗ 1 6 42.6 387,466
Transportation County, TX
A-train Authority
Peninsula San Francisco- CA 1992 ✓ 1 32 154.6 17,662,773
Corridor Joint San Jose-
Caltrain Powers Board Gilroy, CA
COASTER North County San Diego CA 1995 ✗ 1 8 82.2 1,408,677
Transit District County, CA
Denver Regional Denver, CO CO 2016 ✗ 3 16 70.6 9,711,377
Transportation
District (RTD) Denver RTD
Northern New Brunswick, MA, ME, 2001 ✓ 1 12 287.6 543,632
England ME-Portland, NH
Passenger Rail ME-Boston,
Authority / MA
Downeaster Amtrak
Ogden-Salt UT 2008 ✗ 1 15 163 5,193,880
Utah Transit Lake City-
FrontRunner Authority Provo, UT
Pennsylvania Harrisburg- NY, PA 1972 ✓ 1 21 144.4 1,299,773
Department of Philadelphia,
Transportation PA
Keystone Line / Amtrak
Metropolitan New York City- NY 1834 ✓ 11 125 320.4 91,105,137
Transportation Long Island,
Long Island Rail Authority NY
Road (LIRR) (MTA) LIRR
Martinsburg, DC, MD, 1983 ✗ 3 42 197.7 9,106,885
WV-Frederick, WV
MD-Perryville,
Maryland Area MD-Baltimore,
Regional Maryland MD-
Commuter Transit Washington,
(MARC) Train Administration D.C.
Massachusetts Boston, MA MA, RI 1964 ✗ 14 140 776.1 29,444,876
Bay
Transportation
Authority (MBTA) MBTA
Southern Southern CA- CA 1992 ✓ 7 62 538 11,935,362
California Los Angeles,
Regional Rail CA
Metrolink Authority
Page 21 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Total
Year Only passenger
State(s) in open to operates Number Total boardings
Commuter rail Transit Primary service public commuter Number of directional (fiscal year
system agency service area area service rail of lines stations route miles 2019)
Metropolitan New York City- CT, NJ, 1983 ✗ 5 123 545.7 86,620,370
Transportation North and East NY
Metro-North Authority NY
Commuter (MTA)
Railroad Company Metro-North
Northeast Chicago, IL IL 1983 ✓ 11 243 975 61,000,000
Illinois
Regional
Metropolitan Rail Commuter
Corporation Railroad
(Metra) Corporation
Capital Austin, TX TX 2010 ✗ 1 9 64.2 708,914
Metropolitan
Transportation
MetroRail Authority
Rio Metro Albuquerque- NM 2006 ✗ 1 15 193.1 763,428
New Mexico Rail Regional Santa Fe, NM
Runner Express Transit District
New Jersey New Jersey- NJ, NY, 1983 ✗ 11 153 1001.8 79,511,993
Transit New York City, PA
NJ TRANSIT Corporation NY
Big Lake- MN 2009 ✗ 1 7 77.9 767,767
Minneapolis,
Northstar Metro Transit MN
Connecticut New Haven- CT, NY 1990 ✗ 1 9 101.2 430,949
Department of New London,
Shore Line East Transportation CT
Sonoma-Marin Sonoma and CA 2017 ✓ 1 12 90.1 716,849
Area Rail Transit Marin
(SMART) SMART District Counties, CA
Central Puget Lakewood- WA 2000 ✗ 1 12 163.8 4,612,244
Sound Seattle-
Regional Everett, WA
Transit
Sounder Authority
Northern South Bend, IN, IL 1903 ✓ 1 19 179.8 3,283,603
Indiana IN-Chicago, IL
Commuter
Transportation
South Shore Line District
Southeastern Philadelphia, DE, NJ, 1983 ✗ 13 155 446.9 34,730,055
Pennsylvania PA PA
Transportation
Authority (SEPTA) SEPTA
North County Escondido- CA 2008 ✗ 1 15 44 2,408,961
SPRINTER Transit District Oceanside, CA
Florida Central FL- FL 2014 ✗ 1 16 49 1,469,654
Department of Orlando, FL
SunRail Transportation
Fort Worth Dallas-Fort TX 2019 ✗ 1 9 52.3 407,418
Transportation Worth, TX
TEXRail Authority
Page 22 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Total
Year Only passenger
State(s) in open to operates Number Total boardings
Commuter rail Transit Primary service public commuter Number of directional (fiscal year
system agency service area area service rail of lines stations route miles 2019)
Trinity Railway Dallas Area Dallas-Fort TX 1996 ✗ 1 10 34 1,808,772
Express (TRE) Rapid Transit Worth, TX
South Florida Miami-Dade FL 1989 ✗ 1 18 142.2 4,465,750
Regional Counties, FL
Transportation
Tri-Rail Authority
Northern VA- DC, VA 1992 ✓ 2 19 173.6 4,477,266
Virginia Railway Washington,
Express (VRE) VRE D.C.
Regional Nashville, TN TN 2006 ✗ 1 7 62.8 289,524
Transportation
WeGo Star Authority
Tri-County Wilsonville- OR 2009 ✗ 1 5 29.2 374,044
Metropolitan Beaverton, OR
Transportation
Westside Express District of
Service (WES) Oregon
Legend: ✓ = yes; ✗ = no
Source: GAO analysis of commuter rail agency data. | GAO-21-355R
Page 23 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Enclosure IV: U.S. Commuter Rail System Snapshots
We created snapshots for 31 commuter rail systems in the United States (see figure 3). We requested
and analyzed data and other information from the 31 systems, including their fiscal year 2019 funding
information, station location data, and total passenger boardings by station, if available. 29 In addition, we
compiled capital and operating cost data for each system using the Federal Transit Administration’s
National Transit Database. Where needed to ensure data consistency, we used data provided by
officials from the commuter rail system in place of the National Transit Database’s numbers for cost
information, as noted in each system’s profile. We used these data to create a snapshot profiling each
commuter rail system, which includes a map showing the location of each of the system’s stations and
the relative population density of its service area.
Figure 3: Map of the 31 Commuter Rail Systems in the United States
29There were seven commuter rail systems that were not able to provide us with annual passenger boarding data at the station
level. The data that were provided by these systems are noted below in their respective snapshot.
Page 24 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
ACE
California
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 10 Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) is a commuter rail system that began operation
Number of Lines: 1 in 1998. With 10 stations, ACE provides service between Stockton and San Jose,
Total Directional California. ACE provides service to less urbanized areas in Tracy and Livermore,
Route Miles: 172 California. ACE only operates commuter rail service. In fiscal year 2019, ACE reported
receiving the majority of its funding (39.9 percent) from state taxes and government.
Fiscal Year 2019 It also received 23.9 percent of its funding that year from local taxes and government.
Capital Costs: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected ACE’s ridership as shown in the figure
$28,522,088a below. For example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that ACE’s
Operating Costs: passenger boardings dropped 89 percent when comparing September 2020 to the
$27,179,533a same month the previous year.
Total Passenger
Boardings: 1,506,183
a
Capital and operating cost information provided by Altamont Corridor Express.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
25 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
A-Train
Texas
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 6 A-Train is a commuter rail system that began operation in 2011 by the Denton County
Number of Lines: 1 Transportation Authority (DCTA). With six stations, DCTA connects multiple cities in
Total Directional Denton County, Texas. A-Train provides service to less urbanized areas in Lewisville,
Route Miles: 42.6 Texas. In addition to commuter rail, DCTA also operates fixed-route bus and
paratransit services. In fiscal year 2019, A-Train reported receiving the majority of its
Fiscal Year 2019 funding (87.4 percent) from local taxes and government. It also received 7.8 percent
Capital Costs: of its funding that year from federal government sources. The COVID-19 pandemic
$3,588,140 greatly affected A-Train’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our
Operating Costs: analysis of the National Transit Database showed that A-Train’s passenger boardings
$15,446,441 dropped 77 percent when comparing September 2020 to the same month the
Total Passenger previous year.
Boardings: 387,466
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
26 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Caltrain
California
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 32 Caltrain is a commuter rail system that began operation in 1992 by the Peninsula
Number of Lines: 1 Corridor Joint Powers Board. With 32 stations, Caltrain provides service between
Total Directional San Francisco, San Jose, and Gilroy, California. Caltrain provides service to less
Route Miles: 154.6 urbanized areas such as Gilroy and San Martin, California. Caltrain only operates
commuter rail service. In fiscal year 2019, Caltrain reported receiving the largest
Fiscal Year 2019 percentage of its funding (35 percent) from state taxes and government. By contrast, it
Capital Costs: received less than 2 percent of its funding that year from local taxes and government.
$416,764,342 The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected Caltrain’s ridership and fare revenue
Operating Costs: which funds nearly 80 percent of Caltrain’s operating costs, according to the agency.
$136,256,800 As shown in the figure below, Caltrain’s passenger boardings dropped 94 percent
Total Passenger when comparing September 2020 to the same month the previous year, based on our
Boardings: 17,662,773 analysis of the National Transit Database.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
27 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
COASTER
California
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 8 COASTER is a commuter rail system that began operation in 1995 by the North
Number of Lines: 1 County Transit District. With eight stations, COASTER provides service to multiple
Total Directional cities in San Diego County, California. In addition to commuter rail, North County
Route Miles: 82.2 Transit District also operates light rail, fixed-route bus, and paratransit services. In
fiscal year 2019, COASTER reported receiving the largest percentage of its funding
Fiscal Year 2019 (42.7 percent) from local taxes and government. It also received 27.9 and 29.3
Capital Costs: percent respectively of its funding that year from passenger fares and other agency-
$19,113,000a generated revenue, and federal government sources. The COVID-19 pandemic
Operating Costs: significantly affected COASTER’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example,
$19,969,000a our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that COASTER’s passenger
Total Passenger boardings dropped 91 percent when comparing September 2020 to the same month
Boardings: 1,408,677 the previous year.
a
Capital and operating cost information provided by North County Transit District.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
28 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Denver RTD
Colorado
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 16 Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) is a commuter rail system that
Number of Lines: 3 began operation in 2016 by the RTD. With 16 stations across its three lines,
Total Directional Denver RTD connects multiple cities to Denver, Colorado. In addition to commuter
Route Miles: 70.6 rail, RTD also operates light rail, fixed-route bus, and paratransit services. In
fiscal year 2019, RTD reported receiving the majority of its funding (63.5 percent)
Fiscal Year 2019 from local taxes and government. It also received 14.5 percent of its funding that
Capital Costs: year from federal government sources. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected
$304,186,150 Denver RTD’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our analysis
Operating Costs: of the National Transit Database showed that Denver RTD’s passenger boardings
$80,196,126 dropped 62 percent when comparing September 2020 to the same month the
Total Passenger previous year.
Boardings: 9,711,377
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
29 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Downeaster
Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 12 Downeaster is a commuter rail system that began operation in 2001 by the Northern
Number of Lines: 1 New England Passenger Rail Authority, and is operated by Amtrak. With 12 stations,
Total Directional Downeaster connects multiple cities in Maine and New Hampshire to Boston,
Route Miles: 287.6 Massachusetts. Downeaster provides service to less urbanized areas such as
Freeport, and Wells, Maine. Downeaster only operates commuter rail service. In fiscal
Fiscal Year 2019 year 2019, Downeaster reported receiving the majority of its funding (51.2 percent)
Capital Costs: from passenger fares and other agency-generated revenues. It also received 9.8
$3,334,923 percent of its funding that year from state taxes and government. The COVID-19
Operating Costs: pandemic significantly affected Downeaster’s ridership as shown in the figure below.
$23,056,079 For example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that Downeaster’s
Total Passenger passenger boardings dropped 82 percent when comparing September 2020 to the
Boardings: 543,632 same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
30 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
FrontRunner
Utah
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 15 FrontRunner is a commuter rail line that began operation in 2008 by the Utah Transit
Number of Lines: 1 Authority. With 15 stations, FrontRunner connects Provo and Ogden to Salt Lake City,
Total Directional Utah. FrontRunner provides service to less urbanized areas between these cities,
Route Miles: 163 such as Farmington, Utah. In addition to commuter rail, the Utah Transit Authority also
operates light rail, fixed-route bus, bus rapid transit, and paratransit services. In fiscal
Fiscal Year 2019 year 2019, FrontRunner reported receiving the majority of its funding (57.1 percent)
Capital Costs: from local taxes and government. It also received almost a quarter of its funding that
$8,932,406 year from passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue. The COVID-19
Operating Costs: pandemic greatly affected FrontRunner’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For
$44,291,302 example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that FrontRunner’s
Total Passenger passenger boardings dropped 73 percent when comparing September 2020 to the
Boardings: 5,193,880 same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
31 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Keystone Line
Pennsylvania and New York
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 21 The Keystone Line is a commuter rail system that began operation in 1972 with support from the
Number of Lines: 1 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and is operated by Amtrak. With 21 stations, the
Total Directional Keystone Line connects Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New York
Route Miles: 144.4 City, New York. The Keystone Line provides service to less urbanized areas such as Parkesburg
and Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. The Keystone Line only operates commuter rail service. In fiscal
Fiscal Year 2019 year 2019, the Keystone Line reported receiving the largest percentage of its funding (47.4
Capital Costs: percent) from passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue. It also received 34.3 percent
$37,660,512 of its funding that year from state taxes and government. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly
Operating Costs: affected the Keystone Line’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our analysis of
$48,600,722 the National Transit Database showed that the Keystone Line’s passenger boardings dropped 90
Total Passenger percent when comparing September 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Boardings: 1,299,773 Note: The data reported for the Keystone Line reflects the portion of the line
located in Pennsylvania, with the exception of the total number of stations and
fiscal year 2019 operating costs.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
32 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Long Island Rail Road
New York
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 125 Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is a commuter rail system that was chartered in 1834 and
Number of Lines: 11 is now operated as a subsidiary of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Total Directional With 125 stations across its 11 lines, the LIRR connects New York City to Long Island,
Route Miles: 320.4 New York. The LIRR provides service to less urbanized areas of New York along its
Montauk and Ronkonkoma lines. The LIRR only operates commuter rail service. In fiscal
Fiscal Year 2019 year 2019, the LIRR reported receiving the majority of its funding (51.4 percent) from
Capital Costs: passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue. The remaining 48.6 percent of its
$1,305,856,724 funding that year was from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which distributes all
Operating Costs: federal, state, and local funds to the LIRR. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the
$1,507,026,548 LIRR’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our analysis of the National
Total Passenger Transit Database showed that the LIRR’s passenger boardings dropped 71 percent when
Boardings: 91,105,137 comparing September 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
33 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
MARC
Maryland, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 42 Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train is a commuter rail system that began operation in
Number of Lines: 3 1983 by the Maryland Transit Administration. With 42 stations across its three lines, MARC connects
Total Directional multiple cities such as Martinsburg, West Virginia, Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. MARC
Route Miles: 197.7 provides service to less urbanized areas in Brunswick, Maryland, and Harpers Ferry and Duffields,
West Virginia. In addition to commuter rail, the Maryland Transit Administration also operates heavy
Fiscal Year 2019 rail, light rail, fixed-route bus, and paratransit services. In fiscal year 2019, MARC reported receiving
Capital Costs: the majority of its funding (64.4 percent) from Maryland’s State Transportation Trust Fund, which
$73,673,612 includes various transportation taxes and fees (except tolls). The remainder of MARC’s funding was
Operating Costs: from passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly
$165,458,115 affected MARC’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our analysis of the National
Total Passenger Transit Database showed that MARC’s passenger boardings dropped 90 percent when comparing
Boardings: 9,106,885 September 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
34 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
MBTA
Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 140 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail is a system that began
Number of Lines: 14 operation in 1964. With 140 stations across its 14 lines, MBTA Commuter Rail connects
Total Directional multiple cities to Boston, Massachusetts. MBTA Commuter Rail provides service to less
Route Miles: 776.1 urbanized areas such as Shirley and Lakeville, Massachusetts. In addition to commuter
rail, MBTA also operates heavy rail, light rail, fixed-route bus, bus rapid transit, ferry, and
Fiscal Year 2019 paratransit services. In fiscal year 2019, MBTA Commuter Rail reported receiving the
Capital Costs: largest percentage of its funding (47 percent) from passenger fares and other agency-
$344,230,880 generated revenue. It also received 38.7 percent of its funding that year from state taxes
Operating Costs: and government. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected MBTA Commuter Rail’s
$384,352,038 ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our analysis of the National Transit
Total Passenger Database showed that MBTA Commuter Rail’s passenger boardings dropped 75 percent
Boardings: 29,444,876 when comparing September 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
35 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Metra
Illinois
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 243 Metra is a commuter rail system that began operation in 1983 by the Commuter Rail
Number of Lines: 11 Division of the Regional Transportation Authority and its operating corporation, Northeast
Total Directional Illinois Regional Commuter Rail Corporation. With 243 stations across its 11 lines, Metra
Route Miles: 975 connects multiple cities to Chicago, Illinois. Metra provides service to less urbanized areas
such as Elburn, Harvard, and Manhattan, Illinois. The Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter
Fiscal Year 2019 Rail Corporation only operates commuter rail service. In fiscal year 2019, Metra reported
Capital Costs: receiving the largest percentage of its funding (44 percent) from local taxes and government.
$306,118,698 It also received 43.4 percent of its funding that year from passenger fares and other agency-
Operating Costs: generated revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected Metra’s ridership as
$782,173,784 shown in the figure below. For example, our analysis of the National Transit Database
Total Passenger showed that Metra’s passenger boardings dropped 88 percent when comparing September
Boardings: 61,000,000 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
36 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Metrolink
California
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 62 Metrolink is a commuter rail system that began operation in 1992 by the Southern
Number of Lines: 7 California Regional Rail Authority. With 62 stations across its seven lines, Metrolink
Total Directional connects six counties throughout Southern California. Metrolink provides service to less
Route Miles: 538 urbanized areas in Acton, Jurupa Valley/Pedley and Perris, California. Metrolink only
operates commuter rail service. In fiscal year 2019, Metrolink reported receiving the
Fiscal Year 2019 majority of its funding (48.1 percent) from Southern California Regional Rail Authority
Capital Costs: Member Agency contributions which includes five participating county transportation
$82,871,396 commissions. By contrast, it received only 11.2 percent of its funding that year from
Operating Costs: federal government sources. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected Metrolink’s
$243,009,658 ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our analysis of the National Transit
Total Passenger Database showed that Metrolink’s passenger boardings dropped 82 percent when
Boardings: 11,935,362 comparing September 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
37 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Metro-North
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 123 Metro-North is a commuter rail system that began operation in 1983 and is a subsidiary of the New York
Number of Lines: 5 Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). With 123 stations across its five lines, Metro-North primarily
connects New York City with communities to the northwest, north, and east including in Connecticut, where
Total Directional
Route Miles: 545.7 it operates commuter rail service under contract for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Metro-
North provides service to less urbanized areas of New York and Connecticut along its Hudson, Harlem, New
Fiscal Year 2019 Haven, and Port Jervis lines. In addition to commuter rail, Metro-North also operates fixed-route bus and
Capital Costs: ferry services. In fiscal year 2019, Metro-North reported receiving the majority of its funding (56.9 percent)
$566,998,073 from passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue. It also received the remaining 43.1 percent of
Operating Costs: its funding that year from MTA and Connecticut Department of Transportation distributions. The COVID-19
$1,257,847,085 pandemic significantly affected Metro-North’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our
Total Passenger analysis of the National Transit Database showed that Metro-North’s passenger boardings dropped 82
Boardings: 86,620,370 percent when comparing September 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
38 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
MetroRail
Texas
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 9 MetroRail is a commuter rail system that began operation in 2010 by the Capital
Number of Lines: 1 Metropolitan Transportation Authority. With nine stations, MetroRail provides service
Total Directional in and around Austin, Texas. MetroRail provides service to less urbanized areas in
Route Miles: 64.2 Leander, Texas. In addition to commuter rail, Capital Metropolitan Transportation
Authority also operates fixed-route bus, bus rapid transit, and paratransit services. In
Fiscal Year 2019 fiscal year 2019, MetroRail reported receiving the majority of its funding (87.5 percent)
Capital Costs: from state taxes and government, and only 2.1 percent of its funding from passenger
$51,792,122 fares and other agency-generated revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected
Operating Costs: MetroRail’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our analysis of the
$19,319,510 National Transit Database showed that MetroRail’s passenger boardings dropped 71
Total Passenger percent when comparing September 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Boardings: 708,914
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
39 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
NJ TRANSIT
New Jersey, New York, and Pennslyvania
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 153 NJ TRANSIT is a commuter rail system that began operation in 1983 by the New Jersey
Number of Lines: 11 Transit Corporation. With 153 stations across its 11 lines, NJ TRANSIT primarily connects
Total Directional multiple cities in New Jersey to New York City, New York. NJ TRANSIT provides service to less
Route Miles: 1001.8 urbanized areas such as Hammonton, New Jersey, and Otisville and Port Jervis, New York. In
addition to commuter rail, the New Jersey Transit Corporation also operates light rail, fixed-
Fiscal Year 2019 route bus, bus rapid transit, and paratransit services. In fiscal year 2019, NJ TRANSIT reported
Capital Costs: receiving the largest percentage of its funding (48.3 percent) from passenger fares and other
$504,746,163 agency-generated revenue. In comparison, it received less than 1 percent of its funding
Operating Costs: that year from local taxes and government and other third parties. The COVID-19 pandemic
$1,024,848,749 significantly affected NJ TRANSIT’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our
Total Passenger analysis of the National Transit Database showed that NJ TRANSIT’s passenger boardings
Boardings: 79,511,993 dropped 80 percent when comparing September 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
40 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Northstar
Minnesota
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 7 Northstar is a commuter rail system that began operation in 2009 by Metro
Number of Lines: 1 Transit. With seven stations, Northstar connects Minneapolis to Big Lake,
Total Directional Minnesota. Northstar provides service to less urbanized areas such as Big
Route Miles: 77.9 Lake and Elk River, Minnesota. In addition to commuter rail, Metro Transit also
operates light rail, fixed-route bus, and bus rapid transit services. In fiscal year
Fiscal Year 2019 2019, Northstar reported receiving the largest percentage of its funding (46.8
Capital Costs: percent) from local taxes and government. It also received 38.3 percent of its
$3,859,270 funding that year from state taxes and government. The COVID-19 pandemic
Operating Costs: significantly affected Northstar’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For
$17,484,857 example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that Northstar’s
Total Passenger passenger boardings dropped 96 percent when comparing September 2020 to
Boardings: 767,767 the same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
41 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Rail Runner Express
New Mexico
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 15 Rail Runner Express is a commuter rail system that began operation in 2006 by
Number of Lines: 1 the Rio Metro Regional Transit District. With 15 stations, Rail Runner Express
Total Directional connects Albuquerque to Belen and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Rail Runner Express
Route Miles: 193.1 provides service to less urbanized areas in Kewa Pueblo and Isleta, New Mexico.
In addition to commuter rail, Rio Metro Regional Transit District also operates
Fiscal Year 2019 fixed-route bus and paratransit services. In fiscal year 2019, Rail Runner Express
Capital Costs: reported receiving the largest percentage of its funding (38 percent) from federal
$12,605,017 government sources. It also received only 3.9 percent of its funding that year
Operating Costs: from passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue. Rail Runner Express
$28,790,471 service was suspended on March 14, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and
Total Passenger resumed service at a reduced schedule on March 8, 2020.
Boardings: 763,428
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
42 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
SEPTA
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 155 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Commuter Rail is a commuter
Number of Lines: 13 rail system that began operation in 1983. With 155 stations across its 13 lines, SEPTA
Total Directional Commuter Rail connects multiple cities, counties, and states to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Route Miles: 446.9 SEPTA provides service to less urbanized areas such as Doylestown, Pennsylvania. In
addition to commuter rail, SEPTA also operates subway, light rail, fixed-route bus, and
Fiscal Year 2019 paratransit services. In fiscal year 2019, SEPTA Commuter Rail reported receiving the
Capital Costs: largest percentage of its funding (41.4 percent) from passenger fares and other agency-
$273,581,078 generated revenue. It also received nearly 39 percent of its funding that year from state
Operating Costs: taxes and government. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected SEPTA Commuter
$311,891,969 Rail’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our analysis of the National
Total Passenger Transit Database showed that SEPTA Commuter Rail’s passenger boardings dropped 83
Boardings: 34,730,055 percent when comparing September 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
43 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Shore Line East
Connecticut and New York
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 9 Shore Line East is a commuter rail system that began operation in 1990 by the Connecticut
Number of Lines: 1 Department of Transportation. With nine stations, Shore Line East connects New Haven
Total Directional to New London, Connecticut. Shore Line East provides service to less urbanized areas
Route Miles: 101.2 such as Westbrook, Connecticut. In addition to commuter rail, the Connecticut Department
of Transportation also operates fixed-route bus, bus rapid transit, ferry, and paratransit
Fiscal Year 2019 services. In fiscal year 2019, Shore Line East reported receiving the majority of its funding
Capital Costs: (94.9 percent) from state taxes and government. It also received the remaining 5.1 percent
$6,996,478a of its funding that year from passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue. The
Operating Costs: COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected Shore Line East’s ridership as shown in the
$34,507,099a figure below. For example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that
Total Passenger Shore Line East’s passenger boardings dropped 93 percent when comparing September
Boardings: 430,949 2020 to the same month the previous year.
a
Capital and operating cost information provided by the Connecticut
Department of Transportation.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
44 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
SMART
California
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 12 Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is a commuter rail system that began
Number of Lines: 1 operation in 2017 by the SMART District. With 12 stations, SMART connects
Total Directional multiple cities in Sonoma and Marin Counties, California. SMART provides service
Route Miles: 90.1 to less urbanized areas such as Novato and Santa Rosa, California. SMART only
operates commuter rail service. In fiscal year 2019, SMART reported receiving
Fiscal Year 2019 the majority of its funding (71.9 percent) from local taxes and government. It also
Capital Costs: received 10.6 percent of its funding that year from investments and miscellaneous
$44,995,724 revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected SMART’s ridership as
Operating Costs: shown in the figure below. For example, our analysis of the National Transit
$27,490,190 Database showed that SMART’s passenger boardings dropped 86 percent when
Total Passenger comparing September 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Boardings: 716,849
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
45 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Sounder
Washington
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 12 Sounder is a commuter rail system that began operation in 2000 by the Central
Number of Lines: 1 Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit). With 12 stations, Sounder
Total Directional connects Lakewood and Everett to Seattle, Washington. Sounder provides service
Route Miles: 163.8 to less urbanized areas in Tukwila, Mukilteo, and Everett, Washington. In addition to
commuter rail, Sound Transit also operates light rail and fixed-route bus services. In
Fiscal Year 2019 fiscal year 2019, Sounder reported receiving the majority of its funding (50 percent)
Capital Costs: from local taxes and government. It also received 31 percent of its funding that year
$20,237,211 from passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic
Operating Costs: significantly affected Sounder’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example,
$56,879,437 our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that Sounder’s passenger
Total Passenger boardings dropped 89 percent when comparing September 2020 to the same month
Boardings: 4,612,244 the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
46 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
South Shore Line
Indiana and Illinois
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 19 South Shore Line is a commuter rail system that began operation in 1903 by the Northern
Number of Lines: 1 Indiana Commuter Transportation District. With 19 stations, South Shore Line connects
Total Directional
South Bend, Indiana to Chicago, Illinois. South Shore Line provides service to less urbanized
Route Miles: 179.8 areas such as Beverly Shores and New Carlisle, Indiana. The Northern Indiana Commuter
Transportation District only operates commuter rail service. In fiscal year 2019, South Shore
Fiscal Year 2019 Line reported receiving the highest percentage of its funding (27.7 percent) from state taxes
Capital Costs: and government. It also received similar percentages of its funding that year from federal
$51,620,397a government sources, local taxes and government, and passenger fares and other agency-
generated revenue (between 21.5 and 25.2 percent). The COVID-19 pandemic significantly
Operating Costs:
$51,937,100a
affected South Shore Line’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our analysis
of the National Transit Database showed that South Shore Line’s passenger boardings
Total Passenger dropped 79 percent when comparing September 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Boardings: 3,283,603
a
Capital and operating cost information provided by the Northern Indiana
Commuter Transportation District.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
47 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
SPRINTER
California
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 15 SPRINTER is a commuter rail system that began operation in 2008 by the North
Number of Lines: 1 Country Transit District. With 15 stations, SPRINTER provides service between
Total Directional Escondido and Oceanside, California. In addition to commuter rail, North County
Route Miles: 44 Transit District also operates light rail, fixed-route bus, and paratransit services.
In fiscal year 2019, SPRINTER reported receiving the largest percentage of its
Fiscal Year 2019 funding (50.4 percent) from local taxes and government. It also received 34.8
Capital Costs: percent of its funding that year from federal government sources. The COVID-19
$3,718,000a pandemic affected SPRINTER’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For
Operating Costs: example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that SPRINTER’s
$21,562,000a passenger boardings dropped 55 percent when comparing September 2020 to
Total Passenger the same month the previous year.
Boardings: 2,408,961
a
Capital and operating cost information provided by North County Transit District.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
48 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
SunRail
Florida
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 16 SunRail is a commuter rail system that began operation in 2014 by the Florida
Number of Lines: 1 Department of Transportation. With 16 stations, SunRail connects multiple cities
Total Directional in Central Florida to Orlando. SunRail provides service to less urbanized areas
Route Miles: 49 such as Sanford, Florida. In addition to commuter rail, the Florida Department of
Transportation also operates light rail services. In fiscal year 2019, SunRail reported
Fiscal Year 2019 receiving the majority of its funding (61.8 percent) from state taxes and government. It
Capital Costs: also received 21.3 percent of its funding that year from federal government sources.
$74,134,737 The COVID-19 pandemic affected SunRail’s ridership as shown in the figure below.
Operating Costs: For example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that SunRail’s
$44,571,170 passenger boardings dropped 55 percent when comparing September 2020 to the
Total Passenger same month the previous year.
Boardings: 1,469,654
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
49 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
TEXRail
Texas
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 9 TEXRail is a commuter rail system that began operation in 2019 by the Fort Worth
Number of Lines: 1 Transportation Authority. With nine stations, TEXRail provides service between Fort Worth
Total Directional and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas. In addition to commuter rail, Fort Worth
Route Miles: 52.3 Transportation Authority also operates fixed-route bus, shuttle, and paratransit services. In
fiscal year 2019, TEXRail reported receiving the majority of its funding (85.2 percent) from
Fiscal Year 2019 local taxes and government. It also received 13.2 percent of its funding that year from federal
Capital Costs: government sources. The COVID-19 pandemic affected TEXRail’s ridership as shown in
$229,647,282a the figure below. For example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that
Operating Costs: TEXRail’s passenger boardings dropped 58 percent when comparing September 2020 to the
$19,189,368b same month the previous year.
Total Passenger
a
FWTA reported to the National Transit Database capital costs for the TEXRail and
Boardings: 407,418 Trinity Railway Express systems, including the cost of constructing the TEXRail line.
b
FWTA reported to the National Transit Database operating costs for the TEXRail
and Trinity Railway Express systems.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2019- 2020)
1.6%
13.2% Federal government
State taxes and
government (0%)
Local taxes
and government
Fares and agency-
85.2% generated revenue
Source: GAO analysis of commuter rail agency data. | GAO-21-355R
Note: Percentages may not add up due to rounding.
System Map
50 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Trinity Railway Express
Texas
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 10 Trinity Railway Express (TRE) is a commuter rail system that began operation in
Number of Lines: 1 1996 by Dallas Area Rapid Transit. With 10 stations, TRE provides service between
Total Directional Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to commuter rail, Dallas Area Rapid
Route Miles: 34 Transit also operates light rail, fixed-route bus, paratransit, and shuttle services. In
fiscal year 2019, TRE reported receiving the majority of its funding (68.7 percent)
Fiscal Year 2019 from local taxes and government. It received the remainder of its funding (31.3
Capital Costs: percent) that year from passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue.
$122,032,268 The COVID-19 pandemic affected TRE’s ridership as shown in the figure below.
Operating Costs: For example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that TRE’s
$33,798,689 passenger boardings dropped 63 percent when comparing September 2020 to the
Total Passenger same month the previous year.
Boardings: 1,808,772
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
51 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Tri-Rail
Florida
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 18 Tri-Rail is a commuter rail system that began operation in 1989 by the South
Number of Lines: 1 Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA). With 18 stations, Tri-Rail
Total Directional connects multiple cities in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties,
Route Miles: 142.2 Florida. In addition to commuter rail, SFRTA also operates shuttle services.
In fiscal year 2019, Tri-Rail reported receiving the majority of its funding (54.7
Fiscal Year 2019 percent) from state taxes and government. It also received 20.3 percent of its
Capital Costs: funding that year from federal government sources. The COVID-19 pandemic
$35,685,039 affected Tri-Rail’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For example, our
Operating Costs: analysis of the National Transit Database showed that Tri-Rail’s passenger
$97,210,759 boardings dropped 63 percent when comparing September 2020 to the same
Total Passenger month the previous year.
Boardings: 4,465,750
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
52 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
VRE
Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 19 Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is a commuter rail system that began operation
Number of Lines: 2 in 1992. With 19 stations across its two lines, VRE connects Northern Virginia to
Total Directional Washington, D.C. VRE provides service to less urbanized areas such as Stafford
Route Miles: 173.6 and Fredericksburg, Virginia. VRE only operates commuter rail service. In fiscal
year 2019, VRE reported receiving the largest percentage of its funding (38.6
Fiscal Year 2019 percent) from passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue. It also
Capital Costs: received 29.6 percent of its funding that year from state taxes and government.
$7,263,131a The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected VRE’s ridership as shown in the
Operating Costs: figure below. For example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed
$77,681,532a that VRE’s passenger boardings dropped 93 percent when comparing September
Total Passenger 2020 to the same month the previous year.
Boardings: 4,477,266
a
Capital and operating cost information provided by Virginia Railway Express.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
53 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
WeGo Star
Tennessee
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 7 WeGo Star is a commuter rail system that began operation in 2006 by the
Number of Lines: 1 Regional Transportation Authority. With seven stations, WeGo Star connects
Total Directional multiple cities to Nashville, Tennessee. WeGo Star provides service to less
Route Miles: 62.8 urbanized areas in Lebanon and Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. In addition to commuter
rail, the Regional Transportation Authority also operates fixed-route bus service.
Fiscal Year 2019 In fiscal year 2019, the largest percentage of WeGo Star’s funding (37.3 percent)
Capital Costs: came from local taxes and government. It also received nearly 35 percent of its
$3,682,818 funding that year from federal government sources. The COVID-19 pandemic
Operating Costs: significantly affected WeGo Star’s ridership as shown in the figure below. For
$4,595,000 example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that WeGo Star’s
Total Passenger passenger boardings dropped 90 percent when comparing September 2020 to
Boardings: 289,524 the same month the previous year.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
54 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
WES
Oregon
Summary Statistics System Description
Number of Stations: 5 Westside Express Service (WES) is a commuter rail system that began operation in
Number of Lines: 1 2009 by the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet). With
Total Directional five stations, WES connects Wilsonville to Beaverton, Oregon. WES provides service
Route Miles: 29.2 to less urbanized areas in Tigard and Wilsonville, Oregon. In addition to commuter
rail, TriMet also operates light rail, fixed-route bus, and paratransit services. In
Fiscal Year 2019 fiscal year 2019, WES reported receiving the largest percentage of its funding
Capital Costs: (37.7 percent) from local taxes and government. It also received 33.3 percent of its
$1,770,110a funding that year from passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue. The
Operating Costs: COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected WES’s ridership as shown in the figure below.
$6,808,034 For example, our analysis of the National Transit Database showed that WES’s
Total Passenger passenger boardings dropped 76 percent when comparing September 2020 to the
Boardings: 374,044 same month the previous year.
a
Capital cost information provided by TriMet.
Funding Sources (Fiscal Year 2019) Passenger Boardings (2018-2020)
System Map
55 GAO-21-355R | COMMUTER RAIL
Enclosure V: Commuter Rail Funding Sources in Fiscal Year 2019
We collected and reviewed data and other information from 31 commuter rail agencies,
including annual capital and operating costs, total annual revenue, and funding sources for
fiscal years 2017 to 2019, the three most recent years that data were available at the time of our
analysis. Our analysis found that, in fiscal year 2019, each of the 31 commuter rail systems was
funded through a combination of federal, state, local, or other sources, including fare revenue
(see figure 4). The percentage of funds received from the different sources varied widely among
commuter rail agencies. Each funding source may be used to cover commuter rail capital
expenses, operating expenses, or both, depending on individual program restrictions.
Figure 4: Total Commuter Rail System Funding for Operating and Capital Expenses by Source, Fiscal Year
2019
Note: The figure includes 30 of the 31 U.S. commuter rail systems included in our report. NJ TRANSIT provided
funding information for all of its transit modes, including commuter rail.
Page 56 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
Federal Funding
For the 30 commuter rail agencies that submitted system funding data to us, 30 federal sources
contributed from 0 to 39 percent of their total funding in fiscal year 2019. While there is no
dedicated federal funding program for commuter rail, funds for commuter rail projects are
generally available through Department of Transportation (DOT) formula programs (such as the
Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program), as well as grant (e.g., Section 5309 Capital
Investment Grant) and loan (e.g., Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act)
programs. Most federal programs focus on funding transit agencies’ capital expenses, but
certain operating expenses are also eligible for funding. 31
Funding appropriated by the 2020 CARES Act did not include the same restrictions on operating
expenses as existing Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding programs. Transit agencies
may use CARES Act funds on expenses related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. FTA has
said this funding may cover operating expenses such as driver salaries and fuel. For more
information on the DOT and FTA funding sources available to commuter rail agencies and the
eligible activities for each program, see enclosure I.
Passenger Fares and Other Agency-Generated Revenue
The commuter rail agencies that submitted information to us generated from 2 to 57 percent of
total funding through passenger fares and other agency-generated revenue in fiscal year 2019.
Similar to other transit modes, commuter rail passenger fares may be collected as flat, zone-
based, or distanced-based fares. 32 Commuter rail agencies may also offer monthly passes
independently or in partnership with employers in their service area. For some commuter rail
systems, monthly passes make up the majority of tickets sold on the system. One commuter rail
agency we spoke with said that 90 percent of its riders used pre-paid or monthly passes.
Ridership and associated passenger fares are key metrics for commuter rail agencies. Higher
ridership increases an agency’s passenger fare revenue and decreases its need for other
sources of funding.
In addition to passenger fares, commuter rail agencies may generate revenue from other
activities, such as parking fees, special event transportation, and advertising. For example,
officials with WeGo Star, located in Nashville, Tennessee, said that extra train trips to transport
passengers to special events like football games or music festivals brought in around $70,000
each year. While not a large portion of the agency’s $4.9 million budget, agency officials said
that the additional service provided for special events was a valuable income source for the
agency.
State and Local Funding
The percentage of funds received from state and local sources varied widely among the
agencies that submitted information to us. Combined state and local sources contributed from 0
30NJ TRANSIT submitted data for all of its transit modes, including commuter rail.
31Operating expenses allowed under the Urbanized Area formula program include maintenance expenses, operating
expenses in urbanized areas with fewer than 200,000 people, and security expenses (at least 1 percent of funds).
32Flat fares charge each passenger the same price regardless of the distance traveled on the system. Zone and
distanced-based fares charge passengers based on the number of geographic areas they travel through, or the
number of miles they travel on the system.
Page 57 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
to 95 percent of an agency’s funding in fiscal year 2019, and 23 of 31 commuter rail agencies
reported that state and local sources made up the majority of the system’s funding. State and
local funding for transit systems, including commuter rail, may be used to match federal funding.
For example, FTA’s State of Good Repair funding program requires a 20 percent local match for
capital projects.
Transit agencies may receive state and local funding generated through dedicated transit or
general taxes, such as sales tax, motor fuel tax, or property taxes. For example, one commuter
rail agency reported funding generated from local sales taxes, while another agency received
funding from its state transportation fund. For more information on state and local sources used
to fund transit agencies, see enclosure I.
Other Sources of Funding
In addition to the above funding sources, 17 commuter rail agencies reported funding received
from other sources like interest income, track fees, and transit agency distributions. 33 Four
commuter rail agencies received funding from other transit agencies or member contributions.
For example, the Metro-North Railroad operates as a subsidiary of New York’s Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (MTA). According to Metro-North officials, MTA allocates funding to its
transit agency members by analyzing the region as a whole. Therefore, Metro-North’s allocation
may include federal, state, and local funding.
Factors Affecting Sources of Commuter Rail Funding
Different factors affect the total funding available to commuter rail agencies to build and operate
their systems. For example, a transit agency’s priorities can affect the transit modes in which it
invests and the federal projects it pursues. While some transit agencies only operate commuter
rail, 21 of the 31 commuter rail agencies operate other transit modes, such as heavy rail, light
rail, or buses. Depending on the needs of its service area, a transit agency may decide to apply
federal funds for bus or heavy rail rather than commuter rail. Officials we spoke with at one
commuter rail agency said the agency determined it was more appropriate to use bus service to
meet transportation needs in the rural communities it serves than to alter the existing commuter
rail system.
We previously reported that coordinating multi-jurisdictional transit corridors presents special
challenges for agencies making investment decisions. 34 Due to the length of the systems, many
commuter rail agencies serve multiple jurisdictions in a transit corridor including different cities,
counties, or states. Therefore, agencies must coordinate funding and commuter rail service in
those jurisdictions. For example, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority includes five
county-level transportation commissions that subsidize Metrolink’s commuter rail service to their
communities. In another example, two of Metro North’s five commuter rail lines extend from
New York into New Jersey. Under an agreement with the commuter rail agency NJ TRANSIT,
Metro North reimburses NJ TRANSIT for the operation of the service.
Regional priorities may also affect the expansion of commuter rail systems and the allocation of
available funding. In urbanized areas, federal planning law requires local officials to submit a
33If a commuter rail agency owns its railroad track, it may charge freight railroads or Amtrak for use of its
infrastructure.
34GAO, Intermodal Transportation: Challenges to and Potential Strategies for Developing Improved Intermodal
Capabilities, GAO-06-855T (Washington, D.C.: June 15, 2006).
Page 58 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
long-range transportation plan outlining the development of their transportation systems. 35 A
metropolitan planning organization coordinates transportation investments in these areas and
may prioritize certain transit projects over others, including investments in commuter rail. For
example, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the transportation planning,
financing, and coordinating agency that allocates transportation funding based on its priorities
for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area in California. According to MTC officials, MTC’s
long-range plan prioritizes investments in the region’s transit network, which includes three
commuter rail systems—Altamont Corridor Express (ACE), Caltrain, and Sonoma-Marin Area
Rail Transit (SMART). The agency has to balance projects across these three commuter rail
systems while operating and maintaining other infrastructure, including an older heavy rail
system.
(103912)
3523 U.S.C. § 134(c).
Page 59 GAO-21-355R Commuter Rail
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