The Justice Department on Tuesday accused Norfolk Southern, one of the country’s largest freight railroad companies, of violating federal law by delaying Amtrak passenger trains along the route between New Orleans and New York.
In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the Justice Department said Norfolk Southern failed to give Amtrak passenger trains preference over freight trains, as it is required to do under federal law.
“Norfolk Southern regularly fails to do so, leading to widespread delays that harm and inconvenience train passengers, negatively affect Amtrak’s financial performance and impede passenger rail transportation,” according to the complaint.
“Americans should not experience travel delays because rail carriers break the law,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement.
“Our action today alleges that Norfolk Southern violates federal law by failing to give the legally required preference to Amtrak passenger trains over freight trains.”
Persons:
General Merrick B, Garland
Organizations:
Department, Norfolk Southern, Amtrak, District of Columbia, Justice Department
Locations:
New Orleans, New York, U.S, Southern