According to the notice, this representative cannot be from the same state as any of the representatives of the commuter rail operators, or the representative from a state in which the intercity passenger rail stations are served only by long-distance trains.
The new member will serve the remainder of the representative’s current three-year term, which ends in March 2027. Members may serve an additional term with approval from the Chair of the Board, without needing to be renominated for that additional term.
When all vacancies are filled, the PRAC consists of at least 18 voting members, who comprise “a balanced representation of individuals knowledgeable in passenger rail transportation, freight rail transportation, commuter rail operations, rail labor, and transportation public policy,” according to the STB. Specific representation and nomination instructions are detailed in the full decision (download below). Nominations of candidates for membership on the PRAC are due by Feb. 27, 2025.
The PRAC was established in 2023 in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. Chapter 10, to help the STB “better fulfill its statutory responsibilities in overseeing certain aspects of passenger rail service.” The PRAC’s activities include providing information, advice, and recommendations to the STB on issues impacting the development and operation of passenger rail services, including:
- Improving efficiency on passenger rail routes.
- Reducing disputes between passenger rail carriers and freight rail hosts regarding the use of freight-owned facilities and infrastructure for passenger service, including passenger on-time performance issues.
- Improving regulatory processes related to intercity passenger rail to the benefit of the public, the communities served by passenger rail, and the environment.
