STB to hold meetings on directed service regs

Surface Transportation Board (STB) staff is soliciting comments on the its regulations related to emergency service and service inadequacies.

The staff will hold informal meetings starting next month and throughout the second quarter with interested persons to discuss and gather feedback on the regulations, specifically known as 49 C.F.R. Part 1146, Expedited Relief for Service Emergencies and 49 C.F.R. Part 1147, Temporary Relief Under 49 U.S.C. 10705 and 11102 for Service Inadequacies.

The STB's existing directed service regulations are rarely used, even in times of service deterioration, board officials said in a press release.

As a result, the board is interested in exploring through informal discussions whether and how the agency's current directed service regulations need to be modified to offer a more meaningful path of relief in times of serious rail service challenges, they said.

Those interested in participating are asked to contact the STB Rail Customer and Public Relations office at 202-245-0238.