Rail Investment Act of 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Rail Investment Act of 1995

Title II: Local Rail Freight Assistance

Rail Investment Act of 1995 - Title I: Rail Investment Act of 1995 - Rail Investment and Efficiency Act of 1995 - Amends Federal transportation law to add as goals for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) that, among other things, it manage its capital investment in such a way as to provide its customers with world class service and treat them with respect, courtesy, and dignity.

(Sec. 104) Requires AMTRAK to include in its annual operations report to the President and to the Congress projections of anticipated and realized benefits of proposed and previously funded projects.

(Sec. 105) Requires applications by a State, agency, or person for the institution of rail passenger service, or the retention of a route, train, or service which AMTRAK intends to discontinue, to include a statement that it agrees to pay in each year of service a portion of the long-term avoidable losses for each year (currently, short-term avoidable losses) of the operation of such service and the associated capital costs (currently, 50 percent of such costs).

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to review and report to Congress on AMTRAK's State-assisted rail passenger services program.

(Sec. 106) Directs AMTRAK to make any capital improvements for the Northeast Corridor improvement project program necessary for reliable, high-speed rail passenger service and enhancement of capacity for intercity and commuter passenger service. Repeals the current authorization of appropriations for specific projects of the program, as well as the general authorization for deferment of certain Northeast Corridor improvement projects in order to carry out others.

(Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) AMTRAK operating expenses; (2) State requested rail passenger service; (3) capital investment; (4) construction expenses to convert the James A. Farley Post Office, New York City, into a train station and commercial center and for redevelopment of the Pennsylvania Station, New York City; (5) capital expenditures for the Northeast Corridor improvement project; and (6) certain mandatory payments.

(Sec. 108) Legalizes conveyances of certain real property located in Reno, Nevada, by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company.

(Sec. 109) Directs AMTRAK to report to the Congress on the feasibility of instituting rail passenger service between Kansas City, Missouri, and Omaha, Nebraska, as well as potential extensions of service in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Kansas that might enhance the ridership or revenues of AMTRAK service.

Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 110) Declares, for purposes of any State or local requirement for a permit or other approval for construction of any AMTRAK improvement under the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project, that the exemptions and procedures applicable to a Federal project shall apply.

(Sec. 111) Directs AMTRAK to construct the electrification system between Boston, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut, to accommodate the installation of a third mainline track between Davisville and the Boston Switch at Central Falls, Rhode Island, to be used for double-stack and tri-level automobile freight service to and from the Port of Davisville.

(Sec. 112) Establishes the Capital and Equipment Acquisition Account to: (1) acquire passenger equipment and locomotives; and (2) encourage State and local investment in facilities and equipment used to provide intercity rail passenger service.

(Sec. 113) Revises the composition of the board of directors of AMTRAK to include one member specially qualified to represent the interests of rail passengers, who shall be selected from a list of three qualified individuals recommended by the National Association of Railroad Passengers.

(Sec. 114) Directs AMTRAK to implement a pilot program to increase non-Federal revenues through the sale of concessions and use of vending machines on trains and the sale of advertising space on trains and in rail stations.

(Sec. 115) Requires AMTRAK to cooperate with the Virginia State Department of Transportation in studying the feasibility of reestablishing rail service between Washington, D.C., and Bristol, Virginia.

(Sec. 116) Authorizes AMTRAK and motor carriers of passengers to: (1) combine their respective services and facilities to the public as a means of increasing revenues; and (2) coordinate schedules, routes, rates, reservations, and ticketing to provide for enhanced intermodal surface transportation.

(Sec. 117) Directs AMTRAK, upon completion of the preliminary engineering and design for the rail connection between North Station and South Station in Boston, Massachusetts, to develop a plan for the construction of the Central Artery Rail Link to enable intercity and intracity passenger service between such points.

Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 118) Directs AMTRAK to form a task force to consider recommendations for improving emergency training and performance of on-board service and operating crew members. Requires the task force to report to specified congressional committees on actions implemented to date and recommended for the future.

Title II: Local Rail Freight Assistance - Authorizes appropriations for local rail service assistance.

(Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide disaster assistance for the repair of rail lines damaged as a result of a disaster.

(Sec. 203) Authorizes the use of local rail freight assistance for the cost of: (1) closing or improving a railroad grade crossing or series of such crossings; and (2) creating a State supervised grain car pool.

(Sec. 205) Requires amounts appropriated to AMTRAK to be paid on the first day of the fiscal year.

(Sec. 206) Repeals specified sections of Federal transportation law designated obsolete or unnecessary.