The Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (MWRRI) has been used to develop the needs for passenger rail in Missouri.  The MWRRI is a collaborative effort among nine Midwest states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin), Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration.  In Missouri, the MWRRI calls for passenger rail service to continue between Kansas City and St. Louis.  Upgrades to existing track still would be required to ensure operating speeds of 79 miles-per-hour on the existing route.  The MWRRI needs presently are estimated to be $332 million.  This figure will be revised as the needs are better defined. The current operating subsidy for Amtrak is $6.2 million per year.  It is assumed that the operating subsidy on the existing corridor will continue until approximately three years after the MWRRI is implemented.  After that, the St. Louis to Kansas City line will rely on passenger fare revenues to cover operating expenses.   The Long-Range Transportation Direction also assesses needs for providing bus service between cities.  The standard used to determine the need was based on population.  MoDOT assumed a city with a population of at least 15,000 would be well served by intercity bus.  This population limit was chosen to represent cities that might sustain some feasible level of passenger bus demand.  Enhancing bus service between cities is not a significant cost factor in assessing overall needs.  Table 14 Passenger Rail and Bus Goals (millions of dollars) Passenger Rail & Bus Service Between Cities Preservation Expansion     Cost to Achieve Desired Result   20-Year Capital 20-Year Operating Total   20-Year Capital 20-Year Operating Total   Passenger Rail $0 $43.6 $43.6 $332 $0 $332 $375.6 Bus Service $0 $0.4 $0.4 $13.5 $13.5 $27 $27.4 Total $0 $44 $44 $345.5 $13.5 $359 $403 Implementation of passenger rail and bus programs will be guided by the following policies. MoDOT will continue to support the preservation of the existing intercity passenger service and expanded service within Missouri and to destinations outside the state. MoDOT will develop a comprehensive planning process to consider the economic impacts of improvements to the passenger rail and intercity bus systems.  This might include expansion of existing service and adding new services. MoDOT will support the MWRRI in the development of an improved passenger rail corridor between St. Louis and Kansas City. MoDOT will work with service providers to educate the providers and the public about the mobility needs of the elderly, disabled, children and those with low incomes.