STB ends UP/SP merger oversight (12/21/2001)
12/21/2024Yesterday, the Surface Transportation Board formally ended its five-year oversight of the Union Pacific/Southern Pacific Railroad merger.
The board issued decisions seeking to resolve Burlington Northern Santa Fe's long-standing trackage rights dispute in connection with the merger, and various other unresolved issues raised during STB's oversight.
Board members believe the public record demonstrates that STB-imposed conditions have maintained and fostered Western U.S. rail competition, and that BNSF has become a replacement for competition that might've been lost or reduced by the merger.
Although its formal oversight process is complete, STB ruled that it still maintains the authority to enforce its conditions previously imposed on the merger.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News