While discussion :elsewhere" is already suggesting that this is another attempt by the railroads to "kill Amtrak", I do not hold any such thoughts (what else would you expect from me?). It would appear the underlying issue is that contracting railroads and Amtrak have existing bi-lateral agreements regarding train performance as provisions within their contractual relationships. Under PRIIA '08 (Bush era legislation; but I really think the lame duck neither knew nor cared what he was signing), the Government is attempting to abrogate the agreements by means of establishing train performance standards as law of the land.
What wins; a "nanny-state" or the sanctity of a contract?
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