49 U.S.C. § 13101 — Transportation policy

(a) In general: To ensure the development, coordination, and preservation of a transportation^* system that meets the transportation needs of the United States^*, including the United States Postal Service and national defense, it is the policy of the United States Government to oversee transportation modes as follows:

(1) In overseeing those modes, the Government must:

(A) recognize and preserve each transportation mode's inherent advantage;

(B) promote safe, adequate, economical, and efficient transportation;

(C) encourage sound economic conditions in transportation, including sound economic conditions among carriers;

(D) encourage the establishment and maintenance of reasonable transportation rates, without unreasonable discrimination or unfair or destructive competitive practices;

(E) cooperate with each State^* and that State's officials on transportation matters; and

(F) encourage fair wages and working conditions in the transportation industry.

(2) In overseeing transportation by motor carrier^*, the Government must promote competitive and efficient transportation services in order to:

(A) encourage fair competition and reasonable rates for motor carriers of property;

(B) promote efficiency in the motor-carrier^* transportation system and require fair and prompt decisions when required;

(C) meet the needs of shippers, receivers, passengers, and consumers;

(D) allow different quality and price options to meet changing market demands and the diverse needs of the shipping and traveling public;

(E) allow the most productive use of equipment and energy resources;

(F) enable efficient and well-managed carriers to earn adequate profits, attract capital, and maintain fair wages and working conditions;

(G) provide and maintain service to small communities and small shippers, and intrastate bus services;

(H) provide and maintain commuter bus operations;

(I) improve and maintain a sound, safe, and competitive privately owned motor-carrier system;

(J) promote greater participation by minorities in the motor-carrier system; and

(K) promote intermodal transportation.

(3) In overseeing transportation by motor carrier of passengers, the Government must:

(A) cooperate with the States on transportation matters to encourage the States to exercise intrastate regulatory jurisdiction consistent with this part's objectives;

(B) provide Federal procedures that ensure intrastate regulation is exercised consistently with this part; and

(C) ensure that Federal reform initiatives enacted by section 31138 and the Bus Regulatory Reform Act of 1982 are not nullified by State regulatory actions.

(4) In overseeing transportation by water carrier^*, the Government must encourage and promote service and price competition in noncontiguous domestic trade^*.

(b) Administration to carry out policy: This part must be administered and enforced to carry out this section's policy and promote the public interest.