Authors: U.S. General Accounting Office

Date of Publication:  September 1993

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. General Accounting Office

Performing Organization:  U.S. General Accounting Office

Abstract:

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) operates intercity passenger rail service in the United States, transporting over 21 million passengers annually. Commuter railroads, including Amtrak, also transport over 300 million commuter passengers each year. Because so many passengers use Amtrak, the safety of its operations is an important national concern. At a May 1991 congressional hearing, Amtrak employees alleged that Amtrak operated equipment that was not in compliance with safety standards. Concerned about these allegations, the Chairman of the Information, Justice, Transportation, and Agriculture Subcommittee, House Committee on Government Operations, asked that GAO report on whether (1) Amtrak has effective procedures for inspecting, repairing, and maintaining its passenger cars to ensure safe operation and (2) the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) provides adequate oversight to ensure the safety of Amtrak’s passenger cars.
 
 

No. of Pages:   36