Amtrak Puts Freight on the Back Burner
As Amtrak continues efforts to promote railway travel as an attractive alternative to flying, it scored a big regulatory victory this past July. The Safety Transportation Board (STB) issued a reversal on its previous stance concerning a policy change from two proposals that would have favored freight trains.
Passenger Travel vs. Freight Transport: Which Has Priority?
The first proposal would have given railways the leeway to prioritize freight trains over passenger trains. While the STB initially supported the policy, saying Federal law did not explicitly state that passenger trains should be given preference, they have since reconsidered.
Amtrak fought the change on the grounds that it would severely impair their ability to operate on time, since 97 percent of their mileage is run over non-Amtrak railroad tracks. Not surprisingly, rail freight companies disagreed, saying that priority would actually be determined on a case-by-case basis.
With the second proposal, STB issued a change in terms rather than rejecting it outright. Instead of defining “on-time performance” as the point when a train reaches its final destination, it will now be calculated by arrivals at intermediate Amtrak stations.
This may sound like a minor alteration, but it makes a significant impact based on a 2008 law stating that Amtrak can petition STB for investigations and remedies for delays if on-time performance runs at an average of less than 80 percent for two consecutive calendar quarters.
Stay on Schedule with Railcar Movers from DJ Products
Don’t let inefficient maneuvering of railcars cost you precious time. Visit our website to learn more about how our battery-powered railcar movers are the solution to your needs.