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49 U.S.C. § 24308 — Use of facilities and providing services to Amtrak

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

49 U.S.C. § 24308 — Use of facilities and providing services to Amtrak

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Stable record: federal_law:legal_authorities:record_usc_507d91a2502f01aa2f1f104f
Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-49/section-24308-use-of-facilities-and-providing-services-to-amtrak--d4c461fcfa.md
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Source location: Title 49, Chapter 243, § 24308; chapter-243-amtrak.md

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**(a) General Authority.—** (1) Amtrak may make an agreement with a rail carrier or regional transportation authority to use facilities of, and have services provided by, the carrier or authority under terms on which the parties agree. The terms shall include a penalty for untimely performance. (2) (A) If the parties cannot agree and if the Surface Transportation Board finds it necessary to carry out this part, the Board shall— (i) order that the facilities be made available and the services provided to Amtrak; and (ii) prescribe reasonable terms and compensation for using the facilities and providing the services. (B) When prescribing reasonable compensation under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Board shall consider quality of service as a major factor when determining whether, and the extent to which, the amount of compensation shall be greater than the incremental costs of using the facilities and providing the services. (C) The Board shall decide the dispute not later than 90 days after Amtrak submits the dispute to the Board. (3) Amtrak’s right to use the facilities or have the services provided is conditioned on payment of the compensation. If the compensation is not paid promptly, the rail carrier or authority entitled to it may bring an action against Amtrak to recover the amount owed. (4) Amtrak shall seek immediate and appropriate legal remedies to enforce its contract rights when track maintenance on a route over which Amtrak operates falls below the contractual standard. **(b) Operating During Emergencies.—** To facilitate operation by Amtrak during an emergency, the Board, on application by Amtrak, shall require a rail carrier to provide facilities immediately during the emergency. The Board then shall promptly prescribe reasonable terms, including indemnification of the carrier by Amtrak against personal injury risk to which the carrier may be exposed. The rail carrier shall provide the facilities for the duration of the emergency. **(c) Preference Over Freight Transportation.—** Except in an emergency, intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation provided by or for Amtrak has preference over freight transportation in using a rail line, junction, or crossing unless the Board orders otherwise under this subsection. A rail carrier affected by this subsection may apply to the Board for relief. If the Board, after an opportunity for a hearing under [section 553 of title 5](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section553&num=0&edition=prelim), decides that preference for intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation materially will lessen the quality of freight transportation provided to shippers, the Board shall establish the rights of the carrier and Amtrak on reasonable terms. **(d) Accelerated Speeds.—** If a rail carrier refuses to allow accelerated speeds on trains operated by or for Amtrak, Amtrak may apply to the Board for an order requiring the carrier to allow the accelerated speeds. The Board shall decide whether accelerated speeds are unsafe or impracticable and which improvements would be required to make accelerated speeds safe and practicable. After an opportunity for a hearing, the Board shall establish the maximum allowable speeds of Amtrak trains on terms the Board decides are reasonable. **(e) Additional Trains.—** (1) When a rail carrier does not agree to provide, or allow Amtrak to provide, for the operation of additional trains over a rail line of the carrier, Amtrak may apply to the Board for an order requiring the carrier to provide or allow for the operation of the requested trains. After a hearing on the record, the Board may order the carrier, within 60 days, to provide or allow for the operation of the requested trains on a schedule based on legally permissible operating times. However, if the Board decides not to hold a hearing, the Board, not later than 30 days after receiving the application, shall publish in the Federal Register the reasons for the decision not to hold the hearing. (2) The Board shall consider— (A) when conducting a hearing, whether an order would impair unreasonably freight transportation of the rail carrier, with the carrier having the burden of demonstrating that the additional trains will impair the freight transportation; and (B) when establishing scheduled running times, the statutory goal of Amtrak to implement schedules that attain a system-wide average speed of at least 60 miles an hour that can be adhered to with a high degree of reliability and passenger comfort. (3) Unless the parties have an agreement that establishes the compensation Amtrak will pay the carrier for additional trains provided under an order under this subsection, the Board shall decide the dispute under subsection (a) of this section. **(f) Passenger Train Performance and Other Standards.—** (1) **Investigation of substandard performance.—** — If the on-time performance of any intercity passenger train averages less than 80 percent for any 2 consecutive calendar quarters, or the service quality of intercity passenger train operations for which minimum standards are established under section 207 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 fails to meet those standards for 2 consecutive calendar quarters, the Surface Transportation Board (referred to in this section as the “Board”) may initiate an investigation, or upon the filing of a complaint by Amtrak, an intercity passenger rail operator, a host freight railroad over which Amtrak operates, or an entity for which Amtrak operates intercity passenger rail service, the Board shall initiate such an investigation, to determine whether and to what extent delays or failure to achieve minimum standards are due to causes that could reasonably be addressed by a rail carrier over whose tracks the intercity passenger train operates or reasonably addressed by Amtrak or other intercity passenger rail operators. As part of its investigation, the Board has authority to review the accuracy of the train performance data and the extent to which scheduling and congestion contribute to delays. In making its determination or carrying out such an investigation, the Board shall obtain information from all parties involved and identify reasonable measures and make recommendations to improve the service, quality, and on-time performance of the train. (2) **Problems caused by host rail carrier.—** — If the Board determines that delays or failures to achieve minimum standards investigated under paragraph (1) are attributable to a rail carrier’s failure to provide preference to Amtrak over freight transportation as required under subsection (c), the Board may award damages against the host rail carrier, including prescribing such other relief to Amtrak as it determines to be reasonable and appropriate pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection. (3) **Damages and relief.—** — In awarding damages and prescribing other relief under this subsection the Board shall consider such factors as— (A) the extent to which Amtrak suffers financial loss as a result of host rail carrier delays or failure to achieve minimum standards; and (B) what reasonable measures would adequately deter future actions which may reasonably be expected to be likely to result in delays to Amtrak on the route involved. (4) **Use of damages.—** — The Board shall, as it deems appropriate, order the host rail carrier to remit the damages awarded under this subsection to Amtrak or to an entity for which Amtrak operates intercity passenger rail service. Such damages shall be used for capital or operating expenditures on the routes over which delays or failures to achieve minimum standards were the result of a rail carrier’s failure to provide preference to Amtrak over freight transportation as determined in accordance with paragraph (2).

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

49 U.S.C. § 24101 — Findings, mission, and goals

**(a) Findings.—** (1) Public convenience and necessity require that Amtrak, to the extent its budget allows, provide modern, cost-efficient, and energy-efficient intercity rail passenger transportation throughout the United States. (2) Rail passenger transportation can help alleviate overcrowding of airways and airports and on highways. (3) A traveler in the United States should have the greatest possible choice of transportation most convenient to the needs of the traveler. (4) A greater degree of cooperation is necessary among Amtrak, other rail carriers, State, regional, and local governments, the private sector, labor organizations, and suppliers of services and equipment in order to meet the intercity passenger rail needs of the United States. (5) Modern and efficient intercity passenger and commuter rail passenger transportation is important to the viability and well-being of major urban and rural areas and to the energy conservation and self-sufficiency goals of the United States. (6) As a rail passenger transportation entity, Amtrak should be available to operate commuter rail passenger transportation through its subsidiary, Amtrak Commuter, under contract with commuter authorities that do not provide the transportation themselves as part of the governmental function of the State. (7) The Northeast Corridor is a valuable resource of the United States used by intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation and freight transportation. (8) Greater coordination between intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation is required. (9) Long-distance routes are valuable resources of the United States that are used by rural and urban communities. **(b) Mission.—** The mission of Amtrak is to provide efficient and effective intercity passenger rail mo

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

49 U.S.C. § 20101 — Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to promote safety in every area of railroad operations and reduce railroad-related accidents and incidents.

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

5 U.S.C. § 553 — Rule making

**(a)** This section applies, according to the provisions thereof, except to the extent that there is involved— (1) a military or foreign affairs function of the United States; or (2) a matter relating to agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. **(b)** General notice of proposed rule making shall be published in the Federal Register, unless persons subject thereto are named and either personally served or otherwise have actual notice thereof in accordance with law. The notice shall include— (1) a statement of the time, place, and nature of public rule making proceedings; (2) reference to the legal authority under which the rule is proposed; (3) either the terms or substance of the proposed rule or a description of the subjects and issues involved; and (4) the Internet address of a summary of not more than 100 words in length of the proposed rule, in plain language, that shall be posted on the Internet website under section 206(d) of the E-Government Act of 2002 ([44 U.S.C. 3501](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title44-section3501&num=0&edition=prelim) note) (commonly known as regulations.gov). Except when notice or hearing is required by statute, this subsection does not apply— (A) to interpretative rules, general statements of policy, or rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice; or (B) when the agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of reasons therefor in the rules issued) that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. **(c)** After notice required by this section, the agency shall give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making through subm

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

15 U.S.C. § 1 — Trusts, etc., in restraint of trade illegal; penalty

Every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is declared to be illegal. Every person who shall make any contract or engage in any combination or conspiracy hereby declared to be illegal shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine not exceeding $100,000,000 if a corporation, or, if any other person, $1,000,000, or by imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or by both said punishments, in the discretion of the court.

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

49 U.S.C. § 24305 — General authority

**(a) Acquisition and Operation of Equipment and Facilities.—** (1) Amtrak may acquire, operate, maintain, and make contracts for the operation and maintenance of equipment and facilities necessary for intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation, the transportation of mail and express, and auto-ferry transportation. (2) Amtrak shall operate and control directly, to the extent practicable, all aspects of the rail passenger transportation it provides. (3) (A) Except as provided in subsection (d)(2), Amtrak may enter into a contract with a motor carrier of passengers for the intercity transportation of passengers by motor carrier over regular routes only— (i) if the motor carrier is not a public recipient of governmental assistance, as such term is defined in [section 13902(b)(8)(A) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title49-section13902/b/8/A&num=0&edition=prelim), other than a recipient of funds under [section 5311 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title49-section5311&num=0&edition=prelim); (ii) for passengers who have had prior movement by rail or will have subsequent movement by rail; and (iii) if the buses, when used in the provision of such transportation, are used exclusively for the transportation of passengers described in clause (ii). (B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to transportation funded predominantly by a State or local government, or to ticket selling agreements. **(b) Maintenance and Rehabilitation.—** Amtrak may maintain and rehabilitate rail passenger equipment and shall maintain a regional maintenance plan that includes— (1) a review panel at the principal office of Amtrak consisting of members the President of Amtrak designates; (2

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

49 U.S.C. § 24308 — Use of facilities and providing services to

Page 684 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 24308 Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2012—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 112–141 substituted ‘‘Sur- face Transportation Board’’ for ‘‘Interstate Commerce Commission’’. 1997—Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 105–134 redesignated subsec. (c) as (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which read as follows: ‘‘(b) ACTIONS TO ENSURE ACCESS.—Amtrak may act to ensure access to intercity transportation for elderly or handicapped individuals on passenger trains operated by or for Amtrak. That action may include— ‘‘(1) acquiring special equipment; ‘‘(2) conducting special training for employees; ‘‘(3) designing and acquiring new equipment and fa- cilities; ‘‘(4) eliminating barriers in existing equipment and facilities to comply with the highest standards of de- sign, construction, and alteration of property to ac- commodate elderly and handicapped individuals; and ‘‘(5) providing special assistance to elderly and handicapped individuals when getting on and off trains and in terminal areas.’’ Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2012 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effec- tive and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways. ACCESSIBILITY BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES Pub. L. 110–432, div. B, title II, § 219, Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4931, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Amtrak, in consultation with sta- tion owners and other railroads operating service through the existing stations that it serves, shall evaluate the improvements necessary to make these stations readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, as required by such section 242(e)(2) of the Americans with Disabi

Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 49 U.S.C. § 24308

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