This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
2/14/2022
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has announced additional details for its public hearing regarding Amtrak’s application to operate Gulf Coast rail service.
To be held virtually, the hearing will begin tomorrow, Feb. 15, and continue Feb. 16. The STB’s announcement includes instructions for attendance and presentation, viewing and the schedule of appearances for speakers during the public hearing portion. All scheduled speakers and presenters should review the schedule and specific instructions contained in the decision, STB officials said in a press release.
Meanwhile, several shippers, short lines and regionals have filed comments with the board to “express concerns” about the Amtrak proposal to run its trains on a Gulf Coast route between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. The service would operate on track owned by CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway.
The letter writers use the same language to describe their concerns about the impact Amtrak service would have on freight-rail service in the region. The letters cite CSX and NS evidence, including a rail traffic controller study, that suggests the proposed passenger rail in the region “will cause significant harm to freight service,” including decreased freight-train speed, higher dwell times and extreme operational variability.
Many of the short lines and regionals that wrote to the STB do not operate in the Gulf Coast area. However, they cite concerns about the “precedent” that could be set should the STB grant Amtrak’s request to require CSX and NS to allow it to operate passenger trains on the route.
Amtrak has not operated passenger-rail service along the Gulf Coast since 2005, when Hurricane Katrina damaged rail infrastructure there. Some letter writers wrote it would be unfair for the freight railroads to subsidize the cost of upgrading the infrastructure in order to support passenger-rail service.
Earlier this month, CSX President and CEO James Foote encouraged shippers to sign a petition and express concerns to the STB about Amtrak’s proposed service.