(The Associated Press circulated the following article on August 19.)
BISMARCK, N.D. — Government officials and 11 North Dakota agricultural groups have sent a letter to Burlington NOrthern Santa Fe Railway protesting rate and service changes.
The letter asks BNSF to put railcars back into ordering programs for single, 26- and 52-car shipments, so country grain elevators have more options than ordering 110-car trains.
”BNSF benefits tremendously from the agriculture industry in North Dakota, and they need to provide fair treatment in both rates and service for our farmers and shippers,” Gov. John Hoeven said.
BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas said the letter was being reviewed.