45 U.S.C. § 801: Declaration of policy

ratemaking and regulatory reform; the encouragement of efforts to restructure the system on a more economically justified basis, including planning authority in the Secretary of Transportation, an expedited procedure for determining whether merger and consolidation applications are in the public interest, and continuing reorganization authority; financing mechanisms that will assure adequate rehabilitation and improvement of facilities and equipment, implementation of the final system plan, and implementation of the Northeast Corridor project; transitional continuation of service on light-density rail lines that are necessary to continued employment and community well-being throughout the United States; auditing, accounting, reporting, and other requirements to protect Federal funds and to assure repayment of loans and financial responsibility; and necessary studies. balance the needs of carriers, shippers, and the public; foster competition among all carriers by railroad and other modes of transportation, to promote more adequate and efficient transportation services, and to increase the attractiveness of investing in railroads and rail-service-related enterprises; permit railroads greater freedom to raise or lower rates for rail services in competitive markets; promote the establishment of railroad rate structures which are more sensitive to changes in the level of seasonal, regional, and shipper demand; promote separate pricing of distinct rail and rail-related services; formulate standards and guidelines for determining adequate revenue levels for railroads; and modernize and clarify the functions of railroad rate bureaus.