Applications can be submitted as soon as March 18, and will be accepted through September 30, 2009 "or the date on which all available fund will have been committed under this program."  

State departments of transportation are the eligible participants. Any DOT may apply "provided that the applicant State includes intercity passenger rail service as an integral part of statewide transportation planning as required under section 135 of title 23, United States Code." Also, projects must be "specifically included in the applicant State's Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan at the time of the application to be eligible." Multi-state projects should be applied for by a single DOT on behalf of all the participating states.

The FRA's press release states: "In particular, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is interested in receiving project proposals that lead to an on-time performance of 80 percent of greater, or reduce travel times, increase service frequency, or enhance service quality for intercity rail passengers."

The Federal Register announcement please click here.