https://twitter.com/Amtrak/status/1110612699023585281
Once upon a time, railroads provided both freight and passenger services. But freight railroads were losing money on their passenger trains, so America bailed them out and in 1971 Congress created Amtrak to move people across the country.
In exchange for this bailout, two conditions were ultimately put into law: Amtrak would have access to the rail lines to operate passenger trains and–now this is where it gets interesting–those passenger trains would have preference over freight.
Alas, as time passed, the freight railroads began to ignore the law, yet face no consequences for putting freight before passengers. Only the Department of Justice can enforce this law, and the last time that happened was ’79, when My Sharona was playing on our Walkman.
So what can you do about it? Speak up! Contact your Members of Congress and tell them 1) freight railroads are ignoring the law and 2) legislation is needed so Amtrak can enforce this law and put people before freight.
Once upon a time, railroads provided both freight and passenger services. But freight railroads were losing money on their passenger trains, so America bailed them out and in 1971 Congress created Amtrak to move people across the country.
In exchange for this bailout, two conditions were ultimately put into law: Amtrak would have access to the rail lines to operate passenger trains and–now this is where it gets interesting–those passenger trains would have preference over freight.
Alas, as time passed, the freight railroads began to ignore the law, yet face no consequences for putting freight before passengers. Only the Department of Justice can enforce this law, and the last time that happened was ’79, when My Sharona was playing on our Walkman.
So what can you do about it? Speak up! Contact your Members of Congress and tell them 1) freight railroads are ignoring the law and 2) legislation is needed so Amtrak can enforce this law and put people before freight.