In most U.S. states, intercity passenger train service is provided solely by Amtrak (the National Railroad Passenger Corporation), with no assistance of any sort from state or local governments. This level of service usually includes only a few long distance trains such as the Coast Starlight or California Zephyr, with perhaps a small number of shorter distance trains operating within the state. This was the situation in California prior to 1976. Since 1976, California has been one of several states which assists Amtrak in order to provide more service than the basic system.