PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE STUDIES.

SEC. 224. PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE STUDIES.(a) Intercity Rail Service Studies.—Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall conduct studies of the following routes:(1) The Pioneer Route between Seattle and Chicago, which was operated by Amtrak until 1997, to determine whether to reinstate passenger rail service along the route or along segments of the route.(2) The North Coast Hiawatha Route between Chicago and Seattle, through southern Montana, which was operated by Amtrak until 1979, to determine whether to reinstate passenger rail service along the route or along segments of the route, provided that such service will not negatively impact existing Amtrak routes.(3) Between Cornwells Heights, Pennsylvania, and New York, New York, to determine whether to expand passenger rail service by increasing the frequency of stops or reducing commuter ticket prices for this route.(4) Between Princeton Junction, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to determine whether to expand passenger rail service along the route.122 STAT. 4933(5) Between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to determine whether to increase frequency of passenger rail service along the route or along segments of the route.(6) The Capitol Limited Route between Cumberland, Maryland, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to determine whether to reinstate a station stop at Rockwood, Pennsylvania.(b) Assistance.—The Comptroller General of the General Accountability Office shall, upon request by Amtrak, assist Amtrak in conducting the studies under subsection (a).(c) High-Speed Rail Corridor Studies.—(1) The Secretary shall conduct—(A) an analysis of the Secretary’s December 1, 1998, extension of the designation of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor as authorized under section 104(d)(2) of title 23, United States Code, including an analysis of alternative routings for the corridor;(B) a feasibility analysis regarding the expansion of the South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor—(i) to Memphis, Tennessee;(ii) to the Port of Houston, Texas;(iii) through Killeen, Texas; and(iv) south of San Antonio, Texas, to a location in far south Texas to be chosen at the discretion of the Secretary; and(C) a feasibility analysis regarding the expansion of the Keystone Corridor to Cleveland, Ohio.These analyses shall consider changes that have occurred in the region’s population, anticipated patterns of population growth, connectivity with other modes of transportation, the ability of the proposed corridor to reduce regional traffic congestion, and the ability of current and proposed routings to enhance tourism. Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report on these analyses to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and shall redesignate or modify corridor designations based on these analyses, if necessary.(2) The Secretary shall establish a process for a State or group of States to petition the Secretary to redesignate or modify any designated high-speed rail corridors.