FOR RELEASE	Contact: Dennis Watson
09/14/2001 (Friday)	(202) 565-1596
No. 01-43	FIRS 1 (800) 877-8339
	www.stb.gov

Surface Transportation Board Chairman Commends the Surface Transportation Industry, Particularly the Rail Freight Industry, for Efforts Following Recent Terrorist Attacks

In the wake of the tragic, September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., Surface Transportation Board Chairman Linda J. Morgan today commended the surface transportation industry and its employees for their significant efforts to ensure that the Nation's vital commerce will continue as smoothly and safely as possible, and for the industry's initiatives to provide assistance wherever needed during this difficult period.

Chairman Morgan particularly noted the efforts of the rail freight network, over which the Board has broad economic regulatory oversight responsibilities, to continue to provide important rail service to its customers, in coordination with its trucking and maritime partners, and to make available rail cars and infrastructure for whatever emergency assistance is needed by the public under the current circumstances. In this regard, the Chairman highlighted the extensive operational planning undertaken by the railroads, including planning for military preparedness; the various steps taken to enhance the security of rail facilities and the well-being of rail employees; the significant efforts by individual railroads to reach out proactively to their customers and the communities through which they operate; and the various cooperative initiatives undertaken among the railroads to ensure that surface transportation and other needs are met. Because the Northeast region has been especially affected by the recent attacks, the Chairman specifically noted the efforts of the railroads involved in transportation in that region.

Over the last several years, there has been heightened attention to ensuring a responsive, reliable, and flexible rail freight transportation network that can better meet the needs of its customers and can work effectively with communities on issues of mutual interest. Chairman Morgan noted that the rail freight industry definitely has maintained this focus in dealing responsibly with the challenges of the last several days, and she is confident that this focus will continue into the future.

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