The operator of Amtrak service in the Central Valley says they plan to put positive train control in place by the end of this year. This comes a day after the CEO of Amtrak said routes without the safety feature could suspended.
Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson told the U.S. House Transportation committee that they are working to put PTC on routes throughout the nation by the end of 2018. But Amtrak doesn’t directly operate every route in the country. Some of their partners are behind on installing this safety feature. Anderson said there may be lines that don’t meet the December 31 deadline.
“For those segments, Amtrak will suspend operations,” Anderson said.
In the Central Valley, the San Joaquin corridor of Amtrak is operated by Caltrans and the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority.
Matt Rocco, with Caltrans, says they will probably meet the deadline for getting positive train control functioning.
“For the San Joaquin lines, most of the equipment has been installed,” Rocco says. “We are very confident that this will be running at the beginning of next year.”
For the million riders going through the Central Valley, Rocco says they can look forward to safer rides next year.
