Amodei introduces bipartisan Passenger Train Safety Act

U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) on March 3 introduced the bipartisan Passenger Train Safety Act with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Denny Heck (D-WA) to require the Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak to implement and carry out certain National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations.

“Our bill makes meaningful improvements to current standards to ensure the traveling public is able to move as safely and efficiently as possible,” Rep. Amodei said on Tuesday. “I thank Congressman Heck for his leadership on this issue and look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this important legislation.”

If enacted, H.R. 6066 would codify NTSB recommendations made following its investigation of the December 2017 derailment of Amtrak Cascades 501 in DuPont, Wash., when several passenger rail cars fell onto Interstate 5 and hit multiple highway vehicles, killing three passengers and injuring 57 passengers and crew members.

The NTSB’s final report released in May 2019 found that a combination of factors led to the derailment, and the board made specific recommendations on how to address safety issues.

“The crash took a harsh toll on the South Puget Sound community, but it also united us in resolve to keep rail passengers as safe as possible,” said Rep. Heck. “NTSB investigators told us what we need to do to enhance rail passenger safety. And today we’re doing it.”

Additionally, H.R. 6066 would direct the Federal Railroad Administration to research safety issues relating to speed signs, seat securement mechanisms, and methods for mitigating derailment injuries; require Amtrak to implement enhanced crew training; implement the use of audio recording so investigators can better understand the causes of railroad incidents; mandate positive train control (PTC) for train service on new routes; and require railroad carriers to periodically review and update their speed limit action plans, according to a bill summary.

“As representatives from states that have been impacted by fatal passenger train crashes,” said Rep. Amodei, “my colleagues and I recognize firsthand the importance of improving rail safety standards to prevent future tragedies in other communities.”

The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.