§ 24305. General authority
(a)
Acquisition and Operation of Equipment and Facilities.—
(1)
Amtrak may acquire, operate, maintain, and make contracts for the operation and maintenance of equipment and facilities necessary for intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation, the transportation of mail and express, and auto-ferry transportation.
(2)
Amtrak shall operate and control directly, to the extent practicable, all aspects of the rail passenger transportation it provides.
(3)
(A)
Except as provided in subsection (d)(2), Amtrak may enter into a contract with a motor carrier of passengers for the intercity transportation of passengers by motor carrier over regular routes only—
(i)
if the motor carrier is not a public recipient of governmental assistance, as such term is defined in section
13902
(b)(8)(A) of this title, other than a recipient of funds under section
5311 of this title;
(b)
Maintenance and Rehabilitation.—
Amtrak may maintain and rehabilitate rail passenger equipment and shall maintain a regional maintenance plan that includes—
(1)
a review panel at the principal office of Amtrak consisting of members the President of Amtrak designates;
(c)
Miscellaneous Authority.—
Amtrak may—
(2)
transport mail and express and shall use all feasible methods to obtain the bulk mail business of the United States Postal Service;
(d)
Through Routes and Joint Fares.—
(1)
Establishing through routes and joint fares between Amtrak and other intercity rail passenger carriers and motor carriers of passengers is consistent with the public interest and the transportation policy of the United States. Congress encourages establishing those routes and fares.
(e)
Rail Police.—
Amtrak may employ rail police to provide security for rail passengers and property of Amtrak. Rail police employed by Amtrak who have complied with a State law establishing requirements applicable to rail police or individuals employed in a similar position may be employed without regard to the law of another State containing those requirements.
(f)
Domestic Buying Preferences.—
(1)
In this subsection, “United States” means the States, territories, and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia.
(3)
Paragraph (2) of this subsection applies only when the cost of those articles, material, or supplies bought is at least $1,000,000.