FOR RELEASE
Contact: Dennis Watson
11/08/99 (Monday)
(202) 565-1596
No. 99-44
FIRS 1 (800) 877-8339
www.stb.gov


SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD REQUIRES MORE REPORTING FROM CSX & NORFOLK SOUTHERN AS PART OF ITS OPERATIONAL MONITORING OF THE CONRAIL TRANSACTION


Surface Transportation Board (Board) Chairman Linda Morgan announced today that the Board's Director of Compliance and Enforcement has required additional reporting from the "CSX" and "Norfolk Southern" (NS) railroads to facilitate the Board's operational monitoring of the implementation of the "Conrail transaction." The new reporting requirements represent the third addition to the original data requirements imposed by the Board's decision approving the Conrail acquisition. They respond to concerns about resource utilization, system fluidity, system velocity, on-line rail car populations, and erratic service for shippers on the former Conrail system. The additional reporting will include the submission of information in such areas as train delay on main lines and in terminals, and in the Shared Assets Areas; and critical resource information on train crew utilization and locomotive availability.



Chairman Morgan noted that the Board continues to be actively involved in monitoring the implementation of the Conrail transaction. Board representatives have regular communication each week with CSX and NS officials, and discussions with officials of other railroads, and with employees, regarding solutions to transitional service problems. Additionally, Chairman Morgan has sought from both CSX and NS information regarding their plans for handling seasonal peak traffic flows, efforts to improve the operations of the Shared Assets Areas, and cooperation between the two railroads to improve overall service performance. The Chairman has also requested CSX and NS to undertake certain activities relative to the Buffalo, N.Y., area. Finally, Board representatives have regular meetings with individual shippers and with shipper groups regarding service during the implementation period, and the Board's Office of Compliance and Enforcement (OCE) continues to work with shippers and carriers to resolve service issues informally. Shippers requiring OCE's assistance may telephone 202-565-1573 or fax information to 202-565-9011 or -9012.



The new reporting will become part of the public record in the docket entitled CSX Corporation and CSX Transportation, Inc., Norfolk Southern Corporation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Control and Operating Leases/Agreement-- Conrail Inc. and Consolidated Rail Corporation, STB Finance Docket No. 33388. To enhance public accessibility, the reports also will be placed on the Board's website at www.stb.dot.gov.



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