The state and federal agency finished meetings last week to establish clear lines of accountability for rail safety and passenger accessibility on the rail line, according to a Monday press release.
The operation of the railroad was under contention due to disagreements between the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad ?Administration.
The main point of contention between the agencies was whether the Indiana Department of Transportation was a railroad or railroad carrier as defined by federal law.
The line was set to close April 1, according to a letter from the Indiana Department of Transportation.
The state agency maintained that Amtrak and a third-party railroad service, Iowa Pacific Holdings, were the primary operators of the line and were therefore responsible for the rail safety and passenger accessibility, not the state.
The two agencies entered negotiations, and the railroad continued operating after April 1, the day the state’s contract with Amtrak was set to expire.
However, with the Monday announcement of understanding between the two agencies, the route will continue operation in its present form until a new long-term contract is finalized between the state and Amtrak.
As part of the deal, the Indiana Department of Transportation would designate a staff member to oversee contract compliance, and Amtrak and Iowa Pacific would be separately responsible for complying with Amtrak and federal safety standards, according to the press release.
The new contract between the state and Amtrak would be modeled on a collaboration between Amtrak and the North Carolina Department of Transportation and would intend to improve ridership and decrease costs, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation ?website.
Under the new contract, Amtrak would be the primary operator. Iowa Pacific would provide train equipment, maintenance and on-board services as well as marketing.
The passenger rail line offers daily service.
The line also offers tickets three days a week on the Cardinal train, which operates between Chicago and New York with Indianapolis as an intermediate stop.
Brian Gamache
