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7/17/2024
The Surface Transportation Board will hold a public hearing Sept. 16-17 to gather input on recent trends and growth strategies in the freight-rail industry.
The board is asking executives from all Class Is to attend. It’s also inviting testimony from short lines, analysts, customers, suppliers, labor groups and other interested parties who can contribute to the board’s understanding of how the rail industry has grown and intends to grow in the future, STB officials said in a press release.
Board members have an interest in the industry’s health and growth, as well as in rail customers’ need to move goods efficiently and reliably, the release said.
“While the board recognizes that some shifts in volume may not be primarily within the control of rail carriers, the board has observed that over the past 10 years carload volumes have not grown, and have in fact decreased,” the press release states. “The board wishes to explore how industry participants are strategizing and innovating to reverse this recent trend and achieve freight rail growth.”
In addition, the STB expressed interest in shippers’ plans for future use of rail, factors that may affect shipment decisions and what railroads are doing and can do to increase shippers’ use of rail.
The hearing will be held in person at the board’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and will be available for viewing on the board’s YouTube channel.