FOR RELEASE
Contact: Janie Sheng (202) 245-0221
12/23/2008 (Tuesday)
No. 08-44


FedRelay 1 (800) 877-8339
www.stb.gov



PUBLIC & MEDIA ADVISORY: SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO HOLD FEBRUARY 11 PUBLIC HEARING ON IMPLEMENTATION OF PASSENGER RAIL INVESTMENT & IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008


The Surface Transportation Board announced today that it will hold a public hearing on February 11, 2009 to allow interested persons to comment on the Board's new responsibilities in the recently passed Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 ( Public Law 110-432)(the "Act"). The Act enhances the Board's role in various types of disputes between the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), commuter rail operators, host railroads over which they operate, or States that seek to use Amtrak equipment or services with respect to cost allocations, quality of service, compensation, liability, and other terms for provision of service.


The Wednesday, February 11 public hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Board's Hearing Room on the 1st Floor of the agency's headquarters at Patriot's Plaza, 395 E Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.


Persons wishing to speak at the hearing should file with the Board a written notice of intent to participate identifying the speaker, the party the speaker represents, and the speaking time requested, as soon as possible but no later than January 28, 2009. Additionally, each speaker should file with the Board a copy of his or her written testimony. Those wishing to submit a written statement without speaking at the hearing should file that statement by January 28, 2009.


The Board's notice announcing the February 11 public hearing was issued to the public today, Tuesday, December 23, 2008 in Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, STB Ex Parte No. 683. The notice will be published in the Federal Register and is available for viewing and downloading on the agency's Web site, at http://www.stb.dot.gov, under "E-LIBRARY" on the home page, then under "Decisions & Notices," beneath the date "12/23/08."


The hearing will be webcast via the agency's site under "Information Center" / "Webcast" / "Live Video" on the home page.


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