H.R.769 - All Aboard Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 769, the "All Aboard Act," aims to amend Title 49 of the United States Code to mandate that the Secretary of Transportation issue regulations holding Amtrak accountable for refunding passengers when rail transportation is canceled or significantly delayed due to Amtrak's failures. The bill also addresses Amtrak's asset maintenance strategies, moving away from a "run-to-fail" model. The bill requires Amtrak to provide a report on alternative maintenance strategies and implement a new strategy within two years of the Act's enactment.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would require Amtrak to reimburse passengers for cancellations and delays caused by its own failures, incentivizing better service and maintenance. Amtrak would also be required to adopt a more proactive asset maintenance strategy, potentially improving the reliability of rail service. Ultimately, this could lead to increased passenger satisfaction and confidence in Amtrak.
Potential Benefits
- Passengers receive refunds for significant delays or cancellations caused by Amtrak's failures.
- Amtrak is incentivized to improve its service and maintenance to avoid refund payouts.
- A shift away from the "run-to-fail" maintenance model could lead to more reliable rail service.
- Increased transparency and accountability for Amtrak's performance.
- Could improve public perception and ridership of Amtrak.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Amtrak may face increased financial strain due to refund payouts, potentially impacting other services or requiring increased federal funding.
- The regulations issued by the Secretary of Transportation could be complex or difficult to enforce.
- Disputes over the cause of delays or cancellations could lead to administrative burdens.
- The cost of implementing a new asset maintenance strategy could be significant.
- Potential for unintended consequences or loopholes in the regulations.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, as it regulates interstate commerce by setting standards for rail passenger transportation. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments. The mandate for the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations falls within the scope of powers delegated to the legislative branch, as outlined in Article I, Section 1.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).