212 of Public Law 110-432 (Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008) [1] to promote mutual cooperation and planning among owners and operators on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) rail line and to advise the U.S. Congress on Corridor policy and investment needs.

In addition, the Policy calls for a collaborative capital planning process among stakeholders, new performance reporting requirements, and a federal-state funding partnership to eliminate the $28 billion state-of-good repair backlog and address improvement needs not funded through the Policy.

Congressional passage of the FAST Act in December 2015 represented a significant step forward for the NEC.

It marked the first time that intercity passenger rail was addressed in a multi-year authorization alongside other surface transportation programs and it codified many of recommendations included in the Policy aimed at increasing collaboration, transparency, and accountability for all NEC stakeholders.

Non-voting members include the NEC feeder states, freight railroads and independent commuter authorities.