US Senate committee approves rail safety bill after Ohio derailment

US Senate committee approves rail safety bill after Ohio derailment

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US Senate committee approves rail safety bill after Ohio derailment

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The US Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday approved sweeping bipartisan rail safety legislation prompted by a Norfolk Southern-operated (NSC.N) train derailment on Feb. 3 in Ohio.

The legislation passed on a bipartisan 16-11 vote, would mandate the use of technology that can identify equipment failures, prevents cursory rail-car inspections, and ensures trains carrying explosive material like the Ohio train comply with stronger safety regulations.