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Title 45 — RailroadsRelease 119-73

§1104 Definitions

Title 45 › Chapter CHAPTER 20— - NORTHEAST RAIL SERVICE › § 1104

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines key words used in this part of the law. Amtrak means the National Railroad Passenger Corporation set up under chapter 243 of title 49. Commission means the Interstate Commerce Commission. Commuter authority means a state, local, or regional group created to provide commuter train service and includes agencies such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the New Jersey Transit Corporation, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation, their successors, and any entities they create to run or contract for commuter service. Commuter service means short‑haul passenger rail in metro or suburban areas, often with reduced fares, multi‑ride tickets, and morning/evening peak runs. Conrail means the Consolidated Rail Corporation formed under title III of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 (45 U.S.C. 741 et seq.). Rail carrier means a common carrier moving people or goods by rail across state lines or to foreign countries and covered by subtitle IV of title 49. Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation. Special court means the judicial panel under section 209(b)(1) of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 (45 U.S.C. 719(b)(1)) or, for proceedings after that panel is abolished under section 209(b)(2), the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Full Legal Text

Title 45, §1104

Railroads — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

As used in this subtitle, unless the context otherwise requires, the term:
(1)“Amtrak” means the National Railroad Passenger Corporation created under chapter 243 of title 49.
(2)“Commission” means the Interstate Commerce Commission.
(3)“Commuter authority” means any State, local, or regional authority, corporation, or other entity established for purposes of providing commuter service, and includes the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the New Jersey Transit Corporation, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation, any successor agencies, and any entity created by one or more such agencies for the purpose of operating, or contracting for the operation of, commuter service.
(4)“Commuter service” means short-haul rail passenger service operated in metropolitan and suburban areas, whether within or across the geographical boundaries of a State, usually characterized by reduced fare, multiple-ride, and commutation tickets, and by morning and evening peak period operations.
(5)“Conrail” means the Consolidated Rail Corporation created under title III of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 (45 U.S.C. 741 et seq.).
(6)“Rail carrier” means a common carrier engaged in interstate or foreign commerce by rail subject to subtitle IV of title 49.
(7)“Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation.
(8)“Special court” means the judicial panel established under section 209(b)(1) of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 (45 U.S.C. 719(b)(1)) or, with respect to any proceedings that arise or continue after the panel is abolished pursuant to section 209(b)(2) of such Act [45 U.S.C. 719(b)(2)], the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This subtitle, referred to in text, is subtitle E (§§ 1131–1169) of title XI of Pub. L. 97–35, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 643, known as the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981. For complete classification of this subtitle to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1101 of this title and Tables. The Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, referred to in par. (5), is Pub. L. 93–236, Jan. 2, 1974, 87 Stat. 985. Title III of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 is classified generally to subchapter III (§ 741 et seq.) of chapter 16 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 701 of this title and Tables. Codification In par. (1), “chapter 243 of title 49” substituted for “title III of the Rail Passenger Service Act (45 U.S.C. 541 et seq.)” on authority of Pub. L. 103–272, § 6(b), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1378, the first section of which enacted subtitles II, III, and V to X of Title 49, Transportation.

Amendments

1996—Par. (8). Pub. L. 104–317 amended par. generally. Prior to amendment, par. read as follows: “ ‘Special court’ means the judicial panel established under section 209 of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 (45 U.S.C. 719).”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1996 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 104–317 effective 90 days after Oct. 19, 1996, and except as otherwise provided, applicable proceedings that arise or continue after such

Effective Date

, see section 605(e) of Pub. L. 104–317, set out as a note under section 719 of this title. Abolition of Interstate Commerce Commission and

Transfer of Functions

Interstate Commerce Commission abolished and functions of Commission transferred, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, to Surface Transportation Board effective Jan. 1, 1996, by section 1302 of Title 49, Transportation, and section 101 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of Title 49. References to Interstate Commerce Commission deemed to refer to Surface Transportation Board, a member or employee of the Board, or Secretary of Transportation, as appropriate, see section 205 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of Title 49.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

45 U.S.C. § 1104

Title 45 — Railroads

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73