HOUSE PASSES LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE NATION'S RAIL SYSTEM

HOUSE PASSES LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE NATION'S RAIL SYSTEM
Oberstar, Lautenberg Lead Effort to Improve Nation’s Passenger Rail Service, Safety on Railroads

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tonight, the House of Representatives approved legislation to improve the Nation’s intercity passenger rail system and the safety of our railroads.  The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 2095, as amended), will increase funding for Amtrak over the next five years, require new safety controls on trains that help reduce crashes, allow states to regulate solid waste processing facilities along rail lines, and allocate funding for improvements to Washington, D.C.’s Metro transit system. 

Rep. James L. Oberstar (Minn.) led the effort to get the rail package passed in the House, and Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (N.J.) has led the effort in the Senate.

“Today is a transformative and historic moment in our Nation’s transportation system, because we passed legislation improving intercity passenger rail service and enhancing a transportation solution that is affordable, accessible, and environmentally sustainable.  After a decade of starvation diets by the Bush administration and inaction of the Republican-controlled Congress, we stand together to rebuild Amtrak and provide the necessary resources to construct a network of high-speed rail corridors across America,” said Oberstar.  “Additionally, this legislation greatly increases safety standards for the rail industry, which is good news for rail workers and the general public.”

“This is a real step forward for anyone who’s tired of sitting in traffic, paying high prices at the pump and waiting in long lines at airports,” said Lautenberg, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation.  “As Amtrak ridership continues to hit record levels, our bill gives passenger rail the resources it needs to meet the Nation’s increased demands.  Our rail safety bill modernizes safety laws and decreases risk with smarter regulation and modern technology.  Now that the House has passed this package, it’s time for the Senate to act so we can get this bill to the President and signed into law.”

“My Subcommittee has held numerous hearings on railroad safety, as well as intercity passenger rail service.  Amtrak and intercity passenger rail are more popular and necessary than ever because of increasing highway and airport congestion and rising gas prices,” said Rep. Corrine Brown (Fla.), the Chairwoman of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee.  “This legislation will help reduce accidents, improve rail safety, and enhance the work environment for employees, which will allow the rail industry to safely handle passenger and freight rail growth.”

The rail legislation includes:

1. Amtrak reauthorization bill which was developed from similar bills passed by the Senate last year (70-22) and passed by the House earlier this year (311-94):

* Authorizes $13.06 billion over five years for passenger rail— more than $2.6 billion annually for Amtrak, intercity passenger rail, and high speed rail programs, which is almost double what the U.S. is currently spending;

* Requires reforms at Amtrak, including a new Board of Directors, improved accounting and financial planning, and new standards for service reliability and on-time performance;

* Requires a collaborative plan for bringing the Northeast Corridor to a state-of-good-repair by 2018;

* Authorizes the Surface Transportation Board to fine freight railroads for delaying Amtrak trains; and

* Requires Amtrak stations to comply with disability accessibility standards and authorize funding for such improvements.

2. Railroad safety improvement bill which was developed from similar bills passed unanimously by the Senate and by the House (377-38):

* Mandates positive train control (PTC) technology on passenger and certain hazmat rail main lines by 2015 and authorize $250 million in Federal grants for PTC installation;

* Guarantees a 12-hour work period and minimum 10-hour disruption-free rest period for train crews and signal employees;

* Limit the amount of time a rail worker may be in “limbo time”;

* Requires a Federal study and regulation on use of cell phones and other device distractions in locomotive cabs;

* Requires risk-based safety programs for all major railroads to prevent deaths and injuries; and

* Creates a National Transportation Safety Board office to assist families of passengers following rail disasters.

3. Clean Railroads Act of 2008:

* Allows states to clean up solid waste processing facilities on rail sites, which have avoided regulation through a loophole in Federal law; and

* Applies state standards for air pollution, water pollution and fire safety to transfer facilities handling and storing solid waste in open dumps.

4. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) reauthorization bill:

* Authorizes $1.5 billion over 10 years for rehabilitation and improvements to Washington D.C.’s rail transit system.

The House passed the bipartisan package unanimously.  The bill now moves to the Senate, and after passage, it will go to the President to be signed into law.

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