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3/9/2023
The Surface Transportation Board yesterday approved Montana Rail Link’s petition to end its long-term lease with BNSF Railway Co., which will resume operations of its mainline corridor through southern Montana.
MRL announced in early 2022 that BNSF would assume operations of the line.
Under the agreement, BNSF will retain all MRL union and nonunion employees in their current jobs with similar pay, benefits, seniority and other terms of employment, BNSF and MRL officials said in a press release.
MRL customers will be able to maintain their service arrangements and rates. The vast majority of rail traffic moving on MRL today is subject to rates already established by the Class I, BNSF and MRL officials said.
MRL and BNSF now will begin the transition, which is estimated to be completed by the end of the year.
The STB’s decision can be read here.