STB resets CSX listening session for next month

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced yesterday that it rescheduled the public listening session on CSX's recent service problems for Oct. 11 at its Washington, D.C., headquarters.

Earlier this month, the board postponed the listening session that had been scheduled for Sept. 12 because Hurricane Irma was bearing down on Florida at the time, and STB members understood that CSX and rail shippers needed to focus on storm preparedness tasks.

The listening session will enable CSX executives to discuss the railroad’s operational issues and service recovery efforts associated with implementing precision scheduled railroading. STB members also will hear testimony from rail shippers and other stakeholders affected by service disruptions.

Shippers, railroads and other stakeholders that wish to participate in the listening session must file a notice of intent with the STB no later than Sept. 29. Anyone who submitted a notice for the postponed session does not need to submit a new notice for the rescheduled session, but can amend or withdraw the notice if desired, STB officials said in a press release. The board had received more than 20 notices for the original listening session.

The STB has been monitoring CSX's service performance since July following informal complaints from numerous shippers. As part of that oversight, the board's staff holds weekly calls with CSX senior managers and receives weekly service metrics from the Class I. In addition, the STB's Rail Customer and Public Assistance office has been working with affected shippers to resolve some service disruptions.