Senate Commerce Renews Concerns About Railroads' Implementation of 2018 PTC Goals
Senate Commerce Committee members again raised concerns during a Wednesday hearing that nine railroads, including the Maryland Area Regional Commuter and New Jersey Transit systems, are at risk of not meeting 2018 benchmarks for implementing portions of positive train control…
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technology. GAO found the nine haven't demonstrated they are making sufficient progress in meeting by Dec. 31 the benchmarks needed to continue to get extensions through 2020 to fully implement PTC technology. Qualifying railroads must demonstrate they are acquiring necessary spectrum holdings and meeting other annual goals. GAO Director-Physical Infrastructure Issues Susan Fleming's report to Senate Commerce mirrored findings the office presented last month to the House Transportation Railroads Subcommittee (see 1809130060). Senate Commerce members also raised concerns in March (see 1803010054). “There is clearly more work to do” but Federal Railroad Administration head Ronald Batory “has been instrumental in stepping up FRA’s oversight of PTC implementation” since his confirmation earlier this year, said Senate Commerce Chairman John Thune, R-S.D: “If commuter railroads do not meet the requirements of the law by the end of the year, we must understand any effects this may have” on affected riders. Railroads “simply must complete installation of” PTC, said Senate Commerce ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla. Amtrak “has made significant progress implementing PTC” across its routes and equipment, with 91 percent of its locomotives PTC-operable as of late September, said Chief Operating Officer Scot Naparstek. NJ Transit is “fully and absolutely committed to doing everything possible” to meet the Dec. 31 deadline, said Executive Director Kevin Corbett: “We've accomplished more in the last seven months” than “in the previous seven years,” including service reductions aimed at complying with PTC requirements.