Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Robert Primus has called a public hearing on September 16 and 17 to gather information about how the freight rail industry has grown and intends to grow in the future. STB is the federal agency charged with economic regulation of the railroad industry.
According to an STB press release: “The Board wishes to explore how industry participants are strategizing and innovating to reverse this recent trend and achieve freight rail growth. The Board is also interested in shippers’ plans or desire for future use of rail, factors that may affect shipment decisions, and what rail carriers are doing and can do to increase shippers’ use of rail. This hearing presents a chance to discuss opportunities for growth in the freight rail industry, as well as the challenges and effects associated with a failure to grow.”
First Vice President Mark Wallace will represent BLET at the hearing. Along with rail labor, the hearing also will include testimony from railroad executives, shippers, suppliers, and trade groups. The two-day hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. ET on September 16 and can be livestreamed on the STB’s YouTube channel.
Photo courtesy of Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659