{"id":37841,"date":"2015-07-01T10:54:36","date_gmt":"2015-07-01T14:54:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/smart-union.dev\/news\/senate-commerce-committee-approves-rail-reforms\/"},"modified":"2015-07-01T10:54:36","modified_gmt":"2015-07-01T14:54:36","slug":"senate-commerce-committee-approves-rail-reforms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smart-union.org\/senate-commerce-committee-approves-rail-reforms\/","title":{"rendered":"Senate Commerce Committee approves rail reforms","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SenateWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation June 25, on a voice vote, approved the bipartisan \u201cRailroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act,\u201d sponsored by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), with seven amendments. The measure improves rail safety, reauthorizes Amtrak services and improves existing passenger rail infrastructure. It also leverages private sector investment, empowers states and cuts red tape to make critical infrastructure dollars go further.<\/p>\n

\u201cSenator Wicker and Sen. Booker worked hard to build a bipartisan consensus on the way forward for safer and more reliable passenger rail service following the tragic derailment of Amtrak 188,\u201d said Commerce Committee chairman Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). \u201cFirst and foremost, this legislation enhances safe travel by helping implement Positive Train Control technology, grade crossing improvements, requiring inward facing cameras to monitor crews on passenger trains and other safety measures. The committee\u2019s vote puts passenger rail service on a more sustainable course by focusing resources on the most critical infrastructure improvements, streamlining burdensome processes to accelerate project delivery and demanding more accountability in Amtrak\u2019s accounting structure and investment decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

The legislation authorizes Amtrak for the next four years at an average $1.65 billion a year. Additionally, $570 million in grant funding is authorized every year, highlighted by a grant program that consolidates previous separate, siloed authorizations into a streamlined, competitive program. These competitive grants would go toward programs related to capital improvements, alleviating rail congestion, improving grade crossings, implementing Positive Train Control and other safety and infrastructure projects.<\/p>\n

Highlights of S. 1626, as amended and approved by the committee:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Enhancing Safety<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n