Opposition to changing the law governing passenger train liability

A RESOLUTION APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS

AUGUST 5, 2010.

Whereas expansion of passenger train service is in the public interest because it:

• gives travelers important choices and opportunities to improve the quality of life,
• reduces U.S. dependence on imported oil by increasing energy efficiency both directly and by stimulating pedestrian-friendly, station-area real estate development; and
• improves the safety of the U.S. transportation system.

Whereas the primary mission of the National Association of Railroad Passengers is to promote the improvement and expansion of passenger train service;

Whereas federal law since 1997 has imposed a $200 million per-incident cap on liability to passengers in passenger train accidents and allows parties to “allocate responsibility for claims” (that is, to indemnify each other);

Whereas existing law allows fair compensation to victims of passenger-train accidents,

Whereas private-sector companies play a major role in the operation of U.S. passenger trains, both as host of many Amtrak and commuter trains and as direct operator of some trains,

Whereas a lifting of the cap would significantly increase the cost of running passenger trains, thereby threatening both existing services and the ability to expand service and introduce new services;

Therefore, the National Association of Railroad Passengers hereby expresses its strong opposition to changing the law governing passenger-train liability.

Adopted by the NARP Board of Directors, August, 5 2010.