On Aug. 28, the STB
announced it will hold a public listening session on Sept. 12, to hear from CSX about the issues and its recovery efforts.
“The listening session will also give rail shippers and other stakeholders the opportunity to report on the repercussions of these rail service problems and their experiences with CSX’s actions to restore its service to acceptable levels…the agency encourages impacted shippers and other railroads to appear as well,” the STB said.
In the notice, the STB requested shippers, railroads and other stakeholders file a notice of intent to participate with the board by Sept. 7.
In aletteron Aug. 17, The Agricultural Transportation Working Group — a network of national farm, commodity group and agribusiness organizations, including the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) — called upon the STB to continue its efforts to examine the underlying reasons for the precipitous, deteriorating rail service being provided by CSX.
“We are concerned that CSX’s already-chronic service problems may only worsen as demand for rail service increases during the fall peak season, which will include near-record grain and oilseed harvests,” the letter stated, which was signed by 18 national producer, commodity and agribusiness organizations.
The groups noted that U.S. transportation infrastructure — including freight rail — is an “essential component of U.S. agriculture’s world-class productivity and competitiveness, which contribute substantially to American job creation, U.S. economic growth and world food security.”
CSX is the United States’ third largest Class 1 railroad with 21,000 miles of track serving major markets in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. Its tracks are east of the Mississippi river with service to the West coast through alliances with western railroads.
