Maloney, left, Lowey, Sen. Charles Schumer, at the scene of the
deadly February accident in Valhalla
WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives this week is expected to consider new passenger rail reform legislation that would include components sponsored by House Members Sean Patrick Maloney and Nita Lowey, both Hudson Valley Democrats.
Their funding proposals are a direct result of the tragic Metro-North train incidents over the past year.
Maloney said there are two primary components to their legislation.
“One will make available additional federal financing for rail systems like Metro-North to speed up implementation of positive train control,” Maloney said. “Metro-North has right now $1 billion loan request into the federal program that I am making available for the purposes of financing positive train control. That will get it done fast. That will avoid crashes like the one at Spuyten Duyvil.”
The second piece of legislation would create a $300 million federal grant program for rail crossing safety and other safety measures.
Lowey has placed in the bill $10 million to fund a national high-visibility enforcement and education campaign.
