Deluzio, Boyle Introduce Bill to Protect Legal Rights of Amtrak Passengers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) introduced the Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act to protect the ability and rights of Amtrak riders to seek justice if things go wrong. This is a companion bill to the measure introduced by Senators Blumenthal, Fetterman, and Casey in the Senate. 

Amtrak ridership for the Keystone and Pennsylvanian trains were up 13.7% and 21.4% respectively in Fiscal Year 2024. Currently, when a passenger buys a ticket to ride an Amtrak train, they also sign over certain rights through a broad arbitration agreement and class action waiver policy. The current policy that Amtrak implemented in 2019 captures personal injury claims, gross negligence, wrongful death, and claims of discrimination. The Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act would prohibit Amtrak from imposing this policy so riders can seek justice should they be wronged.  

“Forced Arbitration—requiring people to sign away their basic right to seek justice if they are wronged—is an unjust practice,” said Congressman Deluzio. “I am a big supporter of passenger rail and am working as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to make passenger trains a better option for people. I also want to make sure Amtrak is held accountable, and that riders retain their rights and power, if Amtrak messes up. The Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act would make sure that Amtrak travelers do not lose their rights just because they take the train.” 

"Americans deserve a great experience when they ride Amtrak,” said Congressman Boyle. “That’s why we’ve delivered funding to upgrade infrastructure, improve trains, and speed up service—and why we’re introducing this bill to protect riders’ rights to seek justice if something goes wrong. So many Pennsylvanians rely on Amtrak every day. No one should have to give up their rights just to ride the train." 

Representing different ends of the Commonwealth and the passenger rail lines that connect Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Congressmen Deluzio and Boyle previously worked together to introduce the Rail Passenger Fairness Act. This bill would help Amtrak improve on-time performance for passenger train travel across the country by allowing Amtrak the ability to take freight railroads to court to enforce current laws on illegal freight train interference. 

The full text of the bill is available here. 

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