Congress, STB try to help Amtrak get on track with performance metrics
On-time performance means passengers arrive at destinations or detraining points no later than 15 minutes after published scheduled arrival time
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An Amtrak train. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)
Congressional leaders and regulators are looking at ways Amtrak can improve its on-time performance, and they’re employing different tactics to get to that goal.
The freight railroads factor into Amtrak’s ability to meet certain on-time performance metrics because the railroads and Amtrak share the same track in certain areas of the U.S. rail network, such as heavily-trafficked areas near Chicago or along the Northeast corridor. According to a 2020 Amtrak fact sheet, 72% of the miles traveled by Amtrak trains are on tracks owned by other railroads, including commuter line Metro-North and Class I railroads such as BNSF (NYSE: BRK.B) and Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP). By law, the freight railroads must give Amtrak and passenger rail priority use of the track.