WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislation which would allow the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) to continue commuter and freight rail service in the Northeast Corridor if Amtrak ceases operations was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 26.
The “Emergency Directed Rail Service Act” (H.R. 5020) was introduced by the Republican leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The legislation was introduced by:
* Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), Chairman, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
* Rep. Jack Quinn (R-NY), Chairman, Subcommittee on Railroads
* Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-NJ), Vice Chairman, Subcommittee on Railroads
* Rep. Mark Kennedy (R-MN), Vice Chairman, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
* Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ)
Young said the legislation is needed in the event that Amtrak must cease operations. Young is concerned that the Administration does not have the legal authority or funding to issue Amtrak a loan guarantee and that the appropriations process will not have time to definitively address Amtrak’s short-term needs before the July 1, 2002, deadline set by Amtrak CEO David Gunn.
The legislation would:
* Give the STB the authority to order the continued maintenance, signaling, and dispatching of the Northeast Corridor.
* Give the STB the authority to use federal funds to compensate the entity that conducts these services and to require indemnification with respect to any increased liability exposure.
* Authorize the STB to direct service and to provide interim financial assistance to commuter operations around the country affected by an Amtrak shutdown.
Young said that current law requires that, to the extent possible, the Amtrak employees who already perform the work should do the work required by the directed service.
“This legislation is intended to prepare the nation for the possibility that Amtrak will follow through on its threat to shut down,” Transportation Committee Chairman Young said. “This bill is part of my effort to make sure the country is as prepared as possible should that shutdown occur.
“I am particularly concerned about the effect on freight movements in the Northeast and on commuter operations around the country and consequently on our national economy. An Amtrak shutdown could adversely affect the economy in the Northeast United States because considerable freight would not be able to get to its destination, especially plants where the Northeast Corridor is the only rail access.
“Moreover, commuters in the Northeast and around the country may not be able to get to work either because the commuter authority operates on Amtrak infrastructure or because the commuter authority uses Amtrak employees to operate or maintain its trains.”
“I would like to congratulate Chairman Young on introducing this legislation,” said Railroad Subcommittee Vice Chairman Ferguson. “New Jersey commuter rail is vital to ensuring economic growth and environmental protection, particularly in New Jersey. It accounts for more than 80 percent of the people commuting into Manhattan during rush hour. Imagine how many more cars would be on New Jersey roads if commuter rail was temporarily unavailable to commuters.”
On Monday, Young wrote Linda Morgan, the Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board, and asked whether the Board had the power to direct freight and commuter service that would be adversely affected by an Amtrak shutdown. Morgan responded on Tuesday that the STB was unclear whether it would have the power to direct freight and commuter service in the event of an Amtrak shutdown and that its emergency powers have “never been tested before in this context . . . and . . . could be challenged in court.”
“This country needs someone to have the power to address the fallout on freight railroads and commuters if Amtrak shuts down,” Young said. “The legislation I introduce today does just that. It makes it clear that the STB has the authority it needs to act in the event Amtrak ceases service.”