Competitions are underway in Indiana and Washington State pitting the country’s largest private rail operators against incumbent Amtrak for control of some or all of the intercity rail routes in the U.S. that are fully supported by state subsidies and fares.

There are 27 such passenger lines in 18 states where Amtrak has been the monopoly operator for as long as 50 years. States are hoping to reduce costs, improve service and increase revenues by taking bids from private companies to operate and maintain the service. Amtrak would not be prohibited from competing and, as an incumbent service provider, would most likely compete with others.