FOR RELEASE	Contact: Dennis Watson
06/29/99 (Tuesday)	(202) 565-1596
No. 99-29	FIRS 1 (800) 877-8339
	www.stb.gov

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD REQUIRES MORE REPORTING FROM CSX, NS TO AID BOARD'S OPERATIONAL MONITORING OF CONRAIL ACQUISITION

Surface Transportation Board (Board) Chairman Linda J. Morgan announced today that the Board's Director of Compliance and Enforcement has required additional reporting, beginning July 7, 1999, from the "CSX" and "Norfolk Southern" (NS) railroads to facilitate the operational monitoring of the implementation of the Conrail acquisition. The additional reporting being required reflects concerns regarding system fluidity and slowed service on former Conrail lines, and will include data on blocked sidings and mainlines, interchange activity, and the number of, and causes for, train delays.

Chairman Morgan noted that, as was the case prior to the June 1 Conrail split date, the Board has been actively involved in monitoring the operational aspects of the Conrail integration process since June 1. On a regular basis, Board representatives have had frank and open discussions with CSX and NS officials and officials of other railroads regarding issues affecting service, and in particular matters relating to interchange, equipment supply, and crew availability. The Board also has had similar discussions with customer representatives and railroad employees concerning the implementation process and specific issues that have confronted them. In particular, Chairman Morgan has written railroad officials urging industrywide assistance and cooperation and the Chairman of the Conrail Transaction Council offering assistance as appropriate, and has talked directly to railroad employee representatives about their concerns.

The Board continues to receive and analyze relevant performance data, and the additional reporting will enhance that effort. The newly required data will accompany the Shared Assets Area reporting currently received by the Board and placed in the public docket, all of which will now be placed on the Board's website to enhance public accessibility.

CSX and NS's additional 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.

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