Authors: U.S. General Accounting Office

Date of Publication:  December 1992

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. General Accounting Office

Performing Organization:  U.S. General Accounting Office

Report No: GAO/RCED-93-68

Abstract:

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is responsible for safely transporting nearly 41 million rail passengers annually on its intercity and commuter rail network. In a May 1991 hearing before the Government Activities and Transportation Subcommittee, House Committee on Government Operations, Amtrak employees alleged that Amtrak trains were operating in an unsafe manner because certain personnel that inspect, repair, and operate rail equipment had not been sufficiently trained.

Concerned about the seriousness of the allegations, the Chair asked that GAO evaluate training programs for selected employees in Amtrak’s Transportation, Communications and Signals, and Mechanical departments. As agreed with the Chair, GAO reviewed training programs for locomotive engineers, assistant conductors, signal maintainers, carmen, and mechanical foremen in four of Amtrak’s six regional operating divisions. GAO was also asked to compare Amtrak’s training to training that the French, German, and British passenger railroads provide for employees working in similar positions.
 
 

No. of Pages:  37