Quigley: Commuter Rails Need PTC Now
WASHINGTON — Yesterday, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) called on Congress to fund implementation of safety technology, like positive train control (PTC), for commuter rails by supporting the RAILS Act he introduced in March.
"Positive train control is a game changer for rail safety. The technology would have likely prevented 140 train accidents that have caused more than 280 deaths and $300 million in property damage since 1969," said Rep. Quigley. "Congress has mandated this important rail safety technology but has refused to fund it. It's time for Congress to help our commuter railroads employ positive train control and prevent the kind of tragedies we saw on Amtrak last week."
Click the photo to see the full transcript and watch the video of Rep. Quigley's floor speech.
Rep. Quigley has a long record of advocating for implementation of positive train control (PTC) safety technology. Most recently, Rep. Quigley introduced legislation to provide much needed funding to implement Positive Train Control (PTC). The Reassuring Adequate Investment in Lifesaving Systems or the RAILS Act, which he introduced along with Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL-03) in March, reauthorizes the Railroad Safety Technology Grants Program to provide critical funding for train safety technologies. The bill would provide $200 million for each of the next five years for positive train control safety technologies, rail integrity inspection systems, a system for electronic communication regarding hazardous material rail shipments, and other new rail safety items. On the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Quigley has also offered amendments to increase PTC funding and helped make $80 million in the FY14 omnibus available to fund the Railroad Safety Technology Grants Program.
Rep. Quigley is the only Illinois member currently serving on the House Appropriations Committee, which approves the federal government's annual spending levels for nearly all federal programs. He has prioritized Chicago-area infrastructure investments as a member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD). Last year, he helped secure funding for Core Capacity grants that would benefit CTA, TIGER grants to benefit both highways and pedestrian projects, and completion of the McCook and Thornton reservoirs to reduce long-term flooding in Cook County.
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