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Yesterday, the Surface Transportation Board announced it will increase some fees charged to process various transportation financial transactions and other proceedings.

To take effect May 6, the 2005 updated user fee schedule will enable the board to offset rising expenses and overhead costs, according to a prepared statement. The 2005 update still allows the STB to waive fees for any party that can demonstrate the charges present a financial hardship.

The new schedule maintains the 127 fee or sub-fee items from the 2004 update. The board increased fees for 61 items, most ranging from $1 or $2 to $100. The largest fee increase — $35,400 — applies to processing certain coal cases under coal-rate guidelines. Of the 61 affected items, the STB will increase fees $100 or less on 39 items and more than $100 on 22 items.

The board adopted the 2005 update in accordance with a congressional directive (included in fiscal-year 2005 transportation appropriations legislation) that mandates the STB collect $1.05 million in fees to cover a portion of its budget.