(a) The General Assembly has determined as a matter of public policy that it is in the best interests of the citizens of Delaware to apply a limitation of liability for any passenger rail carrier, not otherwise protected under State law, in order to financially enable the Authority acting through the Delaware Transit Corporation and such rail carriers to provide such service. No legal or equitable action seeking damages for personal injury or death as a result of any operation, service or program shall be permitted, maintained or recovered against the owner and/or operator of passenger rail service within State boundaries which has contracted with the Authority acting through the Delaware Transit Corporation to provide such service except as otherwise indicated herein.
(b) It is the expressed intent of the General Assembly, as a matter of public policy, to extend the immunity of the State to all owners and operators of rail facilities and/or providing such rail operations pursuant to an agreement with the Delaware Transportation Authority acting through the Delaware Transit Corporation specifically referencing this section. Any such waiver of immunity from lawsuit or liability whether by operation of law or contract shall be strictly limited to the terms of this section.
(c) The Delaware Transportation Authority acting through the Delaware Transit Corporation is expressly given authority to contract with 1 or more rail service operators hereinafter referred to as “contractors” to maintain and operate rail service between points in Pennsylvania and Delaware, within Delaware and/or between points in Maryland and Delaware, and to indemnify and save harmless said contractors from any and all liability to the extent such indemnification shall be covered by insurance either through a commercially procured policy or through a self-insurance fund as shall be determined by the Authority acting through the Delaware Transit Corporation and approved by the General Assembly and in conformance with § 1329 of this title. For the purposes of this section, rail service operators shall include but not be limited to SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority), AMTRAK (National Railroad Passenger Corporation), MARC (Mass Transit Administration, Maryland Commuter Rail) and CONRAIL (Consolidated Rail Corporation).