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March 8, 2000 9:35 AM, EST

Amtrak intends to expand its long-distance passenger and freight service as a way of increasing revenue.

Bloomberg News report that the national passenger railroad hopes additional trains between New York and Chicago, as well as renewed service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, will help wean it from the government subsidies due to end in 2003.

Amtrak also hopes to increase its mail and express freight revenues through the expanded offerings.

The added routes are the results of a yearlong analysis to identify growth opportunities.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater has asked Congress to authorize $468 million in fiscal 2001 to provide Amtrak and states with matching grants for developing regional high-speed rail corridors.