THROUGH SERVICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH INTERCITY BUS OPERATIONS.

SEC. 107. THROUGH SERVICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH INTERCITY BUS OPERATIONS. (a) In General.—Section 24305(a) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: “(3)(A) Except as provided in subsection (d)(2), Amtrak may enter into a contract with a motor carrier of passengers for the intercity transportation of passengers by motor carrier over regular routes only— “(i) if the motor carrier is not a public recipient of governmental assistance, as such term is defined in section 13902(b)(8)(A) of this title, other than a recipient of funds under section 5311 of this title; “(ii) for passengers who have had prior movement by rail or will have subsequent movement by rail; and “(iii) if the buses, when used in the provision of such transportation, are used exclusively for the transportation of passengers described in clause (ii). “(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to transportation funded predominantly by a State or local government, or to ticket selling agreements.”. (b) Policy Statement.—Section 24305(d) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: “(3) Congress encourages Amtrak and motor common carriers of passengers to use the authority conferred in sections 11322 and 14302 of this title for the purpose of providing improved service to the public and economy of operation.”.