The Justice Department has taken legal action against Norfolk Southern, accusing the rail company of causing significant delays for Amtrak passengers traveling between New York and New Orleans. The civil lawsuit alleges that Norfolk Southern has repeatedly failed to give priority to Amtrak passenger trains over its freight trains, as required by federal law.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that Americans should not face travel disruptions due to rail carriers violating the law. The complaint filed in a federal court in Washington, DC, cited instances where Amtrak trains were forced to wait behind slow-moving freight trains, resulting in substantial delays for passengers.
