Title 49TransportationRelease 119-73

§24701 National rail passenger transportation system

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE V— - RAIL PROGRAMS › Part PART C— - PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION › Chapter CHAPTER 247— - AMTRAK ROUTE SYSTEM › § 24701

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §24701

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Amtrak shall operate a national rail passenger transportation system which ties together existing and emergent regional rail passenger service and other intermodal passenger service.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 24701(a)45:561(b).Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91–518, § 401(b), 84 Stat. 1335. 24701(b)45:561(c).Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91–518, § 401(c), 84 Stat. 1335; Nov. 3, 1973, Pub. L. 93–146, § 9, 87 Stat. 551. In subsection (a), before clause (1), the text of 45:561(b) (1st sentence words after 3d comma) is omitted as obsolete because no regional transportation authority provided intercity rail passenger transportation after May 1, 1971. The words “On May 1, 1971” and “begin” are omitted as executed. The words “between points” and “either” are omitted as surplus. In clause (2), the words “under contract with Amtrak” are substituted for 45:561(b) (last sentence) for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “at any time subsequent to May 1, 1971” are omitted as executed. In subsection (b), the words “concerning auto-ferry service . . . railroad or any other” are omitted as surplus.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1997—Pub. L. 105–134 substituted section catchline for former catchline which read “Operation of basic system” and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “(a) By Amtrak.—Amtrak shall provide intercity rail passenger transportation within the basic system unless the transportation is provided by— “(1) a rail carrier with which Amtrak did not make a contract under section 401(a) of the Rail Passenger Service Act; or “(2) a regional transportation authority under contract with Amtrak. “(b) By Others With Consent of Amtrak.—Except as provided in section 24306 of this title, a person may provide intercity rail passenger transportation over a route over which Amtrak provides scheduled intercity rail passenger transportation under a contract under section 401(a) of the Act only with the consent of Amtrak.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 24701

Title 49Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73