Lowey Announces Final Approval of MTA's Federal Application to Implement Rail Safety Technology

Press Release

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (Westchester/Rockland), the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Federal Railroad Administration has given final approval of the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority's (MTA) application for a $967 million loan to install positive train control (PTC) technology for Long Island Railroad and Metro-North Commuter Railroad. This loan will allow MTA to install life-saving safety improvements on commuter rail lines.

"Final approval of this loan helps put us on track to ensuring we avoid the tragic accidents that have plagued our commuter rail system," said Lowey. "I'm pleased MTA finally has the resources it needs to utilize this life-saving technology, and I urge expeditious implementation to guarantee safety for riders. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue working with federal, state, and local officials to ensure rail safety."

The loan application was given final approval by the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program (RRIF) program. Under this program, the loan funding can be used to acquire, improve, or rehabilitate intermodal or rail equipment or facilities, including track, components of track, bridges, yards, buildings and shops; refinance outstanding debt incurred for the purposes listed above; and develop or establish new intermodal or railroad facilities.

Direct loans can fund up to 100% of a railroad project with repayment periods of up to 35 years and interest rates equal to the cost of borrowing from the government. Eligible borrowers include railroads, state and local governments, government-sponsored authorities and corporations, joint ventures that include at least one railroad, and limited option freight shippers who intend to construct a new rail connection.

By law, railroads are expected to implement PTC systems, which prevent collisions and derailments by ensuring that trains are not travelling at excessive speeds, by December 31, 2015. In the aftermath of the December 1, 2013, Metro-North crash, the Federal Railroad Administration launched a "Deep Dive" safety assessment of Metro-North's operations. In a January 2014 spending bill, Lowey required DOT to release its report to Congress, which highlighted deficiencies in Metro-North's safety protocols and training.

As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Lowey has also repeatedly highlighted the need for additional funding for PTC installation, raising the issue with her colleagues on the Committee during hearings and markups and with U.S. DOT Secretary Foxx. During the markup of the FY 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) bill, she offered an amendment in support of the President's budget request to include $825 million in the bill to help with positive train control implementation.

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