Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform

Concurrently with the increased safety regulation, there was a reduction in economic regulation. The Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 allowed the ICC to exempt some conunodities from price regulation. In response to industry complaints that the forced retention of lines which had long since lost all passenger and most freight service was a financial drain, the procedures for abandonment of uneconomic branch lines were made easier. 

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