Amtrak and Union Pacific Railroad have announced a joint settlement regarding on-time performance for Amtrak’s long-distance Sunset Limited service.
In light of this resolution, Amtrak has formally requested that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) close its ongoing investigation into the matter.
The Sunset Limited, which operates tri-weekly between New Orleans, Louisiana and Los Angeles, California, has historically suffered from punctuality issues, often due to delays on host freight railroads’ tracks. As Amtrak does not own most of the tracks it operates on outside the Northeast Corridor, it relies heavily on freight railroads, such as Union Pacific, to dispatch its trains in a timely manner.
Under federal law, specifically the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) of 2008, freight railroads are required to give Amtrak trains “preference” over freight traffic. However, persistent delays prompted Amtrak to seek recourse from the STB, the federal agency tasked with adjudicating rail service issues.
While specific terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, both parties have expressed satisfaction with the outcome. Union Pacific has committed to enhancing customer on-time performance for the Sunset Limited and to investing in ongoing training and education for its employees regarding their obligations to Amtrak under federal law.
In their joint statement, Amtrak and Union Pacific expressed appreciation to the STB for its oversight and attention to this case. The closure of the investigation marks a step forward in efforts to improve the reliability of intercity passenger rail service in the western United States.
The STB investigation into the Sunset Limited was one of several initiated in recent years as Amtrak has sought stronger enforcement of its statutory rights to operate punctually on freight-owned infrastructure.
The Sunset Limited is one of Amtrak’s oldest routes, dating back to the 19th century. It is also one of the longest, covering over 1,900 miles across eight states. Due to its infrequent schedule and historical delays, it has long been a focus of advocacy efforts to improve long-distance rail service quality in the United States.
