Senators Carper, Coons demand funding to install Positive Train Control (PTC) technology in Delaware, along the Northeast Corridor

Press Release

In the wake of the recent deadly Amtrak crash, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined 20 U.S. Senators to send a letter to the Appropriations Committee calling on Congress to increase funding for Positive Train Control (PTC). According to the National Safety Transportation Board, PTC technology could have prevented the derailment of Amtrak 188 in Philadelphia last week. It is estimated that approximately $2 billion in funding is needed to fully implement positive train control, but Congress has only allocated $50 million.

"Safety on our nation's railway system has been, and must continue to be, our top priority," Senators Carper and Coons wrote. "This week's accident is a stark reminder that there have been far too many crashes and derailments, which could have been prevented had Positive Train Control been installed. As we continue to rely more and more on our passenger and freight rail networks, it is imperative that we install Positive Train Control nationwide as soon as possible. Increased funding in this year's funding bill would enable us to move towards that goal.

"Increased funding for PTC is especially critical at a time when commuter agencies grapple with the huge investments needed to install this technology," continued Carper and Coons. "To date, Congress has only allocated $50 million specifically for PTC, yet costs on commuter rail systems nationwide are expected to exceed $2 billion."

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