Train EATS Act

Chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

On each covered route, Amtrak shall make available—

(1) to the extend practicable, in accordance with subsection (b), traditional dining; and

(2) to all passengers an alternative food and beverage service that is more affordable than traditional dining.

On each covered route on which traditional dining is available, Amtrak shall offer any traditional dining capacity not otherwise used by passengers in First Class or Business Class to passengers traveling in Coach Class (or other base fare class ticket) for a fee on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Amtrak shall ensure that traditional dining on a covered route includes—

(1) a healthy meal option; and

(2) upon pre-order from a passenger to whom traditional dining is offered, meals that satisfy the dietary restrictions of the passenger.

The Secretary of Transportation shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section.

In this section:

The term covered route means a rail passenger transportation route operated by Amtrak that is scheduled to depart and arrive on different dates.

The term healthy meal option means a meal the nutritional contents of which are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans established under section 301 of the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5341).

With respect to rail passenger transportation, the term traditional dining means a food and beverage service—

(A) for which a passenger is seated at a table in a car designated solely for such food and beverage service to order and eat a meal; and

(B) that is serviced by wait staff.

The analysis for chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: