H.R. 2095 Fact Sheet
Provisions Included in H.R. 2095
H.R. 2095 reauthorizes the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and provides $1.575 billion for our nation’s rail safety program over the period encompassing fiscal years 2009 through 2013. The authorization of the rail safety program expired a decade ago, in 1998.
H.R. 2095 reauthorizes Amtrak and provides a total of $13.06 billion over five years to help bring the Northeast Corridor to a state-of-good-repair, and encourage the development of new and improved intercity passenger rail service through an 80-20 Federal/State matching grant program. It also provides $1.5 billion for the planning and development of high-speed rail corridors.
H.R. 2095 includes provisions regarding:
Positive Train Control.
Requires all Class I railroads and intercity passenger and commuter railroads to implement a positive train control system by December 31, 2015, on mainline track where intercity passenger railroads and commuter railroads operate and where toxic-by-inhalation (TIH) hazardous materials are transported.
Hours of Service Reform.
The bill provides railroad signal and train crews with additional rest by reducing the number of hours per month that a railroad employee can work; limiting limbo time; prohibiting railroad employees from working in excess of 12 hours; guaranteeing 10 hours off between shifts; and requiring railroads to develop fatigue management plans.
Grade Crossings.
The bill requires the railroads to establish a toll-free telephone number for reporting malfunctions of grade crossing signals, gates, and other devices and disabled vehicles blocking railroad tracks; requires the FRA to develop model legislation to encourage States to adopt and enforce laws regarding sight obstructions at grade crossings, like vegetation; and establishes a grant program to provide emergency grade crossing safety improvements at locations where there has been a grade crossing collision involving a school bus or multiple injuries or fatalities.
Bridge Safety.
The bill requires railroads to institute a bridge safety management program. As part of the program, the legislation requires each railroad track owner to develop and maintain an inventory of its railroad bridges; determine the safe capacity of each bridge; ensure that its bridges are not loaded beyond their capacities; and conduct regular comprehensive inspections of each bridge.
Increases Capital and Operating Grants to Amtrak.
The bill authorizes $5.315 billion (an average of $1.063 billion per year) to Amtrak for capital grants and $2.949 billion (an average of $589.8 million per year) for operating grants. These capital grants will help bring the Northeast Corridor to a state-of-good-repair, and allow Amtrak to procure new rolling stock, rehabilitate existing bridges, and make additional capital improvements on its entire network. In addition, the operating grants authorized under the bill will help Amtrak pay salaries, health costs, overtime pay, fuel costs, facilities, and train maintenance and operations. These operating grants will also ensure that Amtrak can meet its obligations under its recently negotiated labor contract.
Develops State Passenger Corridors.
The bill creates a new State Capital Grant program for intercity passenger rail projects. The bill provides $1.9 billion ($380 million per year) for grants, awarded on a competitive basis, to States to pay for the capital costs of facilities and equipment necessary to provide new or improved intercity passenger rail.
Improves On-Time Performance.
The bill empowers the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to investigate whether and to what extent delays or failures to achieve minimum on-time performance standards is the result of a host rail carrier. If the host rail carrier is found to be at fault, then the STB may award damages that would be used to improve service on the impacted route.
Resolves Disputes between Commuter and Freight Railroads.
The bill establishes non-binding mediation between freight railroads and commuter railroads to help resolve disagreements.