Surface Transportation Board

Class I railroads pressed about service, furloughs

A photograph of a worker fixing track in a rail yard. There is a parked train behind him.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Ron Batory have sent letters to the CEOs of all seven Class I railroads asking them to resolve service issues that have arisen during the months of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Their letters come as two labor groups — the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD) —...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/class-i-railroads-pressed-about-service-furloughs

US Class I rail headcount rises for the first time since April

A photograph of two locomotives parked in a field.

Employment levels at the U.S. operations of the Class I railroads rose in July on a monthly sequential basis, increasing nearly 1% from June.

The number of employees totaled 117,230 in mid-July, up 0.95% from June, according to data received by the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The last time that employee headcount rose was between March and April of this year.

A 5.3% gain in the number of train and engine (T&E) crew employed by the railroads helped push July’s total higher. T&E crews...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/us-class-i-rail-headcount-rises-for-the-first-time-since-april

Rail economist: STB’s new rule helping ‘captive’ shippers needs testing

A photograph of a rail yard with several rows of parked intermodal containers and hopper cars.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has established a final rule aimed at streamlining the process to determine market dominance in rate reasonableness proceedings, although whether the rule will function as intended remains to be seen.

“This appears to be a significant step in the right direction for shippers and railroads. It streamlines the market dominance test for rate cases that had turned into an incredibly burdensome and complex process,” said former STB chairman and transportation...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/rail-economist-stbs-new-rule-helping-captive-shippers-needs-testing

Shippers’ group urges Senate to confirm STB nominees

A photograph of a line of railcars parked in a rail yard.

The Rail Customer Coalition is asking Congress to support the confirmation of two additional people to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) so that the board can reach its full member complement.

STB currently has three members, and Congress allows the board to have five members.

The shippers say having five members would help the Board, whose purpose is to resolve freight rail rate and service issues, to address issues that have arisen because of industry consolidation.

“Small and large...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/shippers-group-urges-senate-to-confirm-stb-nominees

Class I rail headcount levels drop further in June

A photograph of a railroad employee and worker.

Rail headcount levels in June reached a fresh low for 2020 as U.S. rail volumes were still recovering from the coronavirus-induced traffic declines from earlier in the spring.

The number of employees working for U.S. operations of Class I railroads in mid-June totaled 116,128, an 18% drop from June 2019 and a 2.3% decline from May 2020, according to data that the railroads submitted to the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

June’s total is the lowest not only for 2020 but also since January...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/class-i-rail-headcount-levels-drop-further-in-june

STB asks Class I railroads to report on chemicals and plastics data

A photograph of boxcars and tank cars at a rail crossing.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) will include certain chemical and plastics traffic as a distinct reporting category that the Class I railroads must include in a weekly report about held railcars.

The Board said Thursday it is adopting a rule on this issue, effective July 20. The rule will apply to all the Class I carriers and the Chicago Transportation Coordination Office. Chicago is a key railroad hub.

The Class I railroads report certain performance metrics for a wide range of...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/stb-asks-class-i-railroads-to-report-on-chemicals-and-plastics-data

Rail News – Regulatory Round-Up

A photograph of a locomotive engine hauling railcars. Trees line either side of the track.

Last week, the Surface Transportation Board and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada took steps that could potentially lead to a modification of existing regulations. Here’s what happened:

Surface Transportation Board welcomes talks with stakeholders on rate review

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is allowing board members and staff to meet informally with stakeholders over the board’s proposed rule regarding final offer rate review. The proposed rule is part of the proceeding Ex Parte

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/rail-news-regulatory-round-up

Shippers approve of Surface Transportation Board’s decisions

A photograph of a train locomotive pulling intermodal containers.

Shippers are pleased with the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) three decisions aimed at clarifying how the freight railroads should apply demurrage and accessorial charges.

“It’s good to see the STB is continuing to move forward on important rail policy reforms. And it’s great to see some final action on things that have been out there for awhile,” sais Jeff Sloan, senior director of regulatory and technical affairs for the American Chemistry Council (ACC). 

The board on May 1 issued three...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/shippers-approve-of-surface-transportation-boards-decisions

Surface Transportation Board issues decisions on demurrage and accessorial charges

A photograph of a train locomotive pulling railcars on a sunny day.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has made three decisions defining how the freight railroads can apply demurrage and accessorial charges.

The U.S. operations of all the Class I railroads except BNSF had adjusted how they apply the charges because they were deploying some form of precision scheduled railroading, an operating model that seeks to streamline operations and cust costs. The railroads said the adjustments would encourage shippers to turn around rail assets more efficiently. 

But...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/surface-transportation-board-issues-decisions-on-demurrage-and-accessorial-charges-2

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