Amtrak's 'Train EATS Act' Promises Real Food, Not Just Snacks, on Overnight Routes

The 'Train EATS Act'—officially, the Train Establishment of Appetizing Table Service Act—is all about upgrading the food game on Amtrak's overnight routes. Instead of just vending machines and pre-packaged sandwiches, this bill mandates actual meals for long-haul travelers.

Chow Down on the Rails

This bill changes things by requiring Amtrak to provide both "traditional dining" and a cheaper food option on any route that departs and arrives on different dates (that's a "covered route" in bill-speak). "Traditional dining" isn't your typical microwave meal. We're talking about a sit-down experience in a dedicated dining car, complete with wait staff and, crucially, at least one "healthy meal option." That term means a meal that aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The bill also mandates accommodations for dietary restrictions if meals are pre-ordered.

Class System for Chowing?

Here's where it gets interesting. First Class and Business Class passengers get first dibs on the traditional dining experience. But—and this is a big but—if there's space left over, Coach passengers can pay a fee to get in on the sit-down action. That access is first-come, first-served, so no guarantees. For everyone else, there's a mandated "more affordable alternative," though the bill doesn't specify exactly what that will look like. Think of it like this: you're a small business owner heading home after a conference, and instead of relying on gas station snacks, you can actually have a decent meal on the train.

Real-World Rollout

The Secretary of Transportation is in charge of making all this happen, which means writing the actual rules that Amtrak will follow. The text of the bill gives the Secretary of Transportation considerable leeway to define the specifics. For example, Amtrak only has to provide "traditional dining" "as practical." The bill doesn't spell out what counts as "practical" that could be a major issue for implementation. A software developer with a gluten allergy, for instance, will want to know that "dietary restrictions" are taken seriously, and that "healthy meal option" truly means healthy. While the bill aims to benefit all Amtrak passengers on overnight routes, and potentially even Amtrak food service employees, the details of how it's implemented will determine its real-world impact. The bill also doesn't specify a timeframe for implementation, which is another key point to watch.

This bill is a step toward making long-distance train travel more comfortable and convenient, especially for folks with specific dietary needs. It also fits with existing laws that position Amtrak as a public service, not just a business. But, as always, the devil is in the details – and those details will be hammered out by the Department of Transportation.