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Justice Department Sues Norfolk Southern Over Amtrak Train Delays
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern, alleging negligence in handling Amtrak train delays. This legal action aims to address the impact on passenger services and ensure accountability in rail transportation.
Justice Department Files Complaint Against Norfolk Southern for Passenger Train Delays
The U.S. Justice Department has taken legal action against Norfolk Southern, one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States, alleging violations of federal law concerning the operation of Amtrak passenger trains. The complaint, lodged on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asserts that Norfolk Southern has repeatedly failed to prioritize Amtrak passenger trains over freight trains, contrary to federal regulations.
According to the complaint, Norfolk Southern’s actions have resulted in significant delays, which not only inconvenience passengers but also adversely affect Amtrak’s financial stability and overall passenger rail service. “Norfolk Southern regularly fails to give Amtrak the required preference, leading to widespread delays that harm and inconvenience train passengers,” the complaint states.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the importance of adhering to federal law in his statement: “Americans should not experience travel delays because rail carriers break the law. Our action today alleges that Norfolk Southern violates federal law by failing to give the legally required preference to Amtrak passenger trains over freight trains.”
The complaint provides several examples of instances where Norfolk Southern’s negligence in prioritizing passenger trains has led to notable delays. Among these was a significant incident on January 1, when an Amtrak train, just a mere 10 miles from New Orleans, was held up for nearly an hour because Norfolk Southern dispatchers mandated that it follow a slower-moving freight train.
In another troubling case, an Amtrak train was forced to wait for over an hour while three freight trains were allowed to pass, highlighting the ongoing issues faced by passenger rail services under Norfolk Southern’s management.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.