Commuter Rail

Amtrak and commuter rail agencies often share rights-of-way with each other and with freight railroads. Negotiating agree. that govern the shared use of infrastructure can be challenging, esp. on issues such as liab. and indemnity. This report discusses: (1) the liab. and indemnity provisions in agree. among passenger and freight railroads, and the resulting implications of these provisions; (2) fed. and state court opinions related to contractual liab. and indemnity provisions of passenger and freight railroad agree.; (3) factors that influence the negotiations of liab. and indemnity provisions among passenger and freight railroads; and (4) potential options for facilitating negotiations of liab. and indemnity provisions. Illustrations.

Commuter rail agencies provide mobility to millions of people across the country, often using Amtrak infrastructure and services. Given these interactions, an abrupt Amtrak cessation could have a significant impact on commuter rail operations. Amtrak's chronic financial problems and recent budget proposals make such cessation possibility. This book was asked to examine:(1) The extent to which commuter rail agencies rely on Amtrak for access to infrastructure and services,(2) Issues that commuter rail agencies would face if Amtrak abruptly ceased to provide them with services and infrastructure access, and(3) The options available to commuter rail agencies should Amtrak abruptly cease to provide those services and infrastructure access.