State officials would study the cause of passenger train delays under a bill approved on Thursday in the Oregon House.
Amtrak operates several passenger trains in Oregon, some of which are partially funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Trains between Portland and Eugene were on-time just 73 percent of the time last year, and state lawmakers say that’s not good enough.
ODOT says congestion caused by the freight trains that share the tracks is often to blame. Rep. Nancy Nathanson, D-Eugene, said more people would use passenger trains if they were more reliable. “More Oregonians are expressing an interest in commuting by train, but without faster times and more options, they’re stuck and we’re stuck," she said. "Let’s get some facts and then get to work on the solutions.”
The measure passed the House with just two “no” votes, and now heads to the Oregon Senate.
