FOR RELEASE
Contact: Janie Sheng (202) 245-0221
04/01/2014 (Tuesday)
Lucille Marvin
No. 14-2


FedRelay 1 (800) 877-8339
www.stb.gov
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO HOLD HEARING ON RAIL SERVICE ISSUES


The Surface Transportation Board announced today that it will hold a public hearing on April 10, 2014, to provide interested persons the opportunity to report on recent railroad service issues, review proposed solutions to existing service problems, and discuss additional options to improve service.


The Board has been closely monitoring the rail industry's performance metrics and is concerned about service problems across the nation's railroad network, particularly on the Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CP) and BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) systems. The Board Members have written to and met with the leadership of BNSF and CP to discuss these concerns.


The Board's Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs and Compliance has been working with affected parties to better understand the problems shippers are facing and to help facilitate service solutions. Board staff recently held a meeting in North Dakota with shippers from multiple states and the agency anticipates additional meetings in other affected areas.


The Board will hold a public hearing beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2014, in the Board's Hearing Room at the agency's headquarters located at 395 E Street, S.W., in Washington, D.C. The Board will direct BNSF and CP to appear at the hearing, and the agency encourages impacted shippers and other Class I carriers to appear as well. The hearing will be open for public observation.


The Board's notice announcing the hearing in United States Rail Service Issues, Docket No. EP 724, may be viewed and downloaded at the Board's website, www.stb.dot.gov, under "E-LIBRARY / Decisions & Notices / 04/ 01 / 14". A live video broadcast of the hearing will be available via the Board's website, under "Information Center: / Webcast / Live Video" on the home page.


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