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The most comprehensive rail safety legislation proposed in 34 years is heading to President Bush's desk. Yesterday, the Senate passed the Rail Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 (H.R. 2095/S. 1889) by a 74-24 vote.

The measure — and its companion bill, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 — previously passed the House. The packaged bills now move to the White House, where President Bush is expected to sign the measure into law, according to the United Transportation Union.

H.R. 2095/S. 1889 would tighten rail worker training standards, require conductor certification, and mandate installation of positive train control on lines used for passenger trains and to move hazardous materials no later than 2015.

The bill also would create a new high-level chief safety officer position within the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), add 200 federal rail safety inspectors and instruct the USDOT to develop a long-term strategy for improving rail safety, including an annual plan for reducing the number and rates of rail accidents, injuries and fatalities.

In addition, the legislation would reauthorize the federal rail safety program through 2011 and enable the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to regulate rail workers' hours of service — providing the FRA that authorization for the first time. The bill would replace hours-of-service laws first enacted in 1907 with comprehensive, scientifically based regulations to address worker fatigue, the FRA said.

Meanwhile, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act would reauthorize Amtrak for five years at a total of $13 billion. Amtrak's previous authorization expired in 2002. During next five years, Amtrak would receive $2.9 billion in operating subsidies and $5.3 billion for capital projects, such as new cars and infrastructure upgrades. The national intercity railroad also would receive $1.9 billion to develop new state passenger-rail corridors.

In addition, the measure includes a provision to authorize $1.5 billion in federal funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority over 10 years for capital improvements and critical maintenance work.