Shippers who're worried about Class Is' inconsistent transit times, and the limited availability of rail cars and intermodal equipment — especially with the fall-peak shipping season approaching — will have a chance to voice their concerns to Class I senior officers face-to-face. The Association of American Railroads is sponsoring a "Fall Peak Season Service Forum" to be held Sept. 9 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Kansas City Airport Marriott hotel in Kansas City, Mo.
In the morning, senior operating and marketing officers from all seven Class Is will present their fall-peak service plans. Topics will include the current state of each railroad's system, and processes in place or planned to meet fall peak demand.
After lunch — which includes an address by Surface Transportation Board Chairman Roger Nober — all officers will conduct a question and answer session with shippers.
In the late 1990s, Class I officials and shipper representatives held a series of meetings to discuss post-merger service problems, but the Kansas City forum will be the first addressing the fall peak, says AAR President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Hamberger, adding that the event will be an "open" forum.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News
