Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 93.djvu/585

 PUBLIC LAW 96-73—SEPT. 29, 1979

93 STAT. 553

facilities; or (3) new labor agreements, may be deferred by the Corporation until any necessary capital improvements in such lines or facilities, or required labor agreements, are made, to permit service that is equivalent or improved service and is consistent with the goals contained in subsection (a) of this section: And provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, pending deferred implementation of such recommendations, the Corporation shall provide substitute service over existing routes which are recommended for restructuring in whole or in part and over other feasible existing routes, without reference to the Route and Service Criteria. Substitute service provided over an existing route under this paragraph shall continue to be operated after October 1, 1981, only if such route meets the criteria set forth in section 404(d)(1) of the Rail Passenger Service Act, as adjusted to reflect constant 1979 dollars; Ante, p. 546. but excepting any short-haul route concentrating on commuter ridership.". INTERMODAL TERMINAL PROGRAM

SEC. 128. The first sentence of section 4(i)(5) of the Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 1653(i)(5)) is amended by striking out "within two years following the approval of the application for Federal financial assistance under this subsection" and inserting in lieu thereof "within such time period as the Secretary establishes". GAO STUDY OF DEBT EUMINATION

SEC. 129. Within 180 days after the effective date of this Act, the Report to Comptroller General shall submit a report to the Congress recom- Congress. mending appropriate means for the National Railroad Passenger 45 USC 602 note. Corporation to eliminate the obligations of the Corporation that are guaranteed under section 602 of the Rail Passenger Service Act. In 45 USC 602. developing such recommendations, the Comptroller General shall consider (1) the feasibility of converting such obligations into stock issued by the Corporation, (2) the likelihood of obligation retirement from profits of the Corporation, (3) the ability of the Corporation to continue to carry its debt service within the context of operating subsidies, fairly and accurately reflecting current operating costs, and (4) the extent to which debt incurred by the Corporation prior to the effective date of this Act should be recognized as unrecoverable. SERVICE O N PORTION OR SEGMENT OF DISCONTINUED ROUTES

SEC. 130. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation shall con- 45 USC 564 note, duct an evaluation of the possibility of providing rail passenger service on a portion or segment of any route over which service is discontinued on or after October 1, 1979. Such evaluation shall include an examination of the potential market demand for rail passenger service over a portion or segment of any such discontinued route, and the cost of providing such service. The Corporation shall, Report to no later than February 15, 1980, submit a report to both Houses of the Congress and Congress and to the Secretary of Transportation setting forth its Secretary of Transportation. findings under this section. MAIL AND EXPRESS REVENUES

SEC. 131. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation shall, in conjunction with the United States Postal Service, determine those mail transportation requirements which can be met by the Corporation and shall develop and submit to the Congress, no later than April

Report to Congress. 45 USC 545a note.

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