The U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday passed commuter rail legislation that includes rail safety provisions from a Hudson Valley congressman.
The House passed the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act, or PRRIA, by a vote of 316-101. PRRIA includes two provisions authored by Democratic Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney. His Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act, which he introduced following the February 3 fatal Metro-North collision at a rail crossing in Valhalla in Westchester County, reauthorizes the Rail Line Relocation and Improvement Capital Grant Program. PRRIA also includes Maloney’s Commuter Rail Passenger Safety Act to help finance positive train control systems for commuter rail lines, like Metro-North. He introduced the latter following the December 2013 fatal Metro-North derailment in the Bronx. PRIAA also authorizes appropriations for Amtrak through 2019, including for improvements in the Northeast Corridor.