STB orders mediation in Amtrak Gulf Coast case

The Surface Transportation Board late last week ordered board-sponsored meditation in the case involving Amtrak's application to relaunch passenger-rail service on CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway tracks in the Gulf Coast.

The board also modified a protective order in the case to allow certain Amtrak personnel access to certain "highly confidential" materials.

The board is allowing certain in-house Amtrak personnel access to materials produced in connection with the 2020 and 2021 rail traffic controller (RTC) studies so that it can fully respond to evidentiary issues raised by the board in the recent hearing. The STB specifically invited the parties to present additional RTC modeling evidence, and without such access, Amtrak would be at a significant disadvantage, STB officials said in a press release.

In addition, the board’s decision extended the deadline for filing supplemental evidence by 30 days, until July 13.

"Amtrak appreciates the board's continued efforts to instill transparency into this process and will work to meet the board’s new deadline," Amtrak officials said in a written statement. "We will also work with the mediator the board appoints and continue our preparations for beginning this service along the Gulf Coast as soon as possible."

In March 2021, Amtrak asked the STB to order CSX and NS to allow Amtrak trains to travel over the Class Is' track between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. Amtrak has not offered service along the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina struck the area in 2005.

CSX and NS oppose Amtrak service in the area until certain conditions are met. A multiday hearing on the matter was held in April and May.

"All parties should have the opportunity to fully respond to the evidentiary issues raised at the hearing," said STB Chairman Martin Oberman in the press release. "It is also the board’s intent to have a full and complete record in such an important matter that affects the public interest."