01:29 PM EDT, 07/30/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with more details and Norfolk's comment in third to fifth paragraphs.)

Norfolk Southern ( NSC ) is facing a civil complaint filed Tuesday by the US Department of Justice over allegations that it delays passenger trains on the Amtrak-operated Crescent Route.

The complaint, filed in the District Court for the District of Columbia, alleged that Norfolk regularly fails to give Amtrak passenger trains preference over freight trains, causing widespread delays to passenger trips and hurting Amtrak's financial performance.

Last year, only about a quarter of southbound Crescent Route passenger trains traveling on Norfolk-controlled track arrived at their destination on time, according to the DOJ. Under federal law, Amtrak passenger trains are given preference over freight trains, it said.

Norfolk Southern ( NSC ) spokesperson Tom Crosson said the company has a collaborative relationship with Amtrak and state partners, and is "committed to complying with the law, working together, and honoring our commitments."

"Over the past several months with Amtrak, we have focused on the on-time performance of the Crescent passenger train. We hope to resolve these concerns and continue to make progress together," Crosson told MT Newswires.

Amtrak, also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment.

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