AAR asks federal court to review STB rate dispute ruling

The Association of American Railroads has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals to review the Surface Transportation Board's recent ruling on small-rate disputes.

By filing its request in the District of Columbia Circuit, the AAR joins some Class Is in appealing the STB's Dec. 19 decision to implement a new arbitration program for small-rate disputes between railroads and shippers. AAR notified the STB of its court action on Jan. 18, according to a Jan. 30 filing with the board.

CSX, Union Pacific Railroad and the U.S. operations of CN have asked the federal court to review the STB's decision. Those Class Is and Norfolk Southern Railway also asked the STB to stay its ruling; the board rejected that request last week.