(The Associated Press circulated the following article on May 12.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad will meet with customers Monday in San Francisco to address concerns about congestion and service delays on its 23-state system.
The nation’s largest railroad has been dealing with train crew shortages and congestion since last fall, as demand for its services grew in an improving economy. Areas hardest hit have been California and the Southwest.
Union Pacific recently canceled a United Parcel Service contract for cross-country express trains because it was taking too many resources from the rest of the railroad. Union Pacific also is hiring more train crews and buying more locomotives.
The National Industrial Transportation League, which represents 600 shipping companies, requested the meeting and Union Pacific Chief Executive Dick Davidson agreed to the forum.
Roger Nober, chairman of the Surface Transportation Board, will participate at the forum, along with Jack Koraleski, the railroad’s executive vice president of marketing and sales.
John Ficker, president of the Transportation League, said the group has heard from members about declining service and wants to know when service will be back on track.
“There are no magic bullets, but what can we expect for the next six months and when can we expect some improvement?” he asked. “The typical peak shipping season is end of summer and into fall.”
Union Pacific spokeswoman Kathryn Blackwell said the forum will be one more way for the railroad to talk with its customers.