BNSF, FERROMEX PARTNERS TO MOVES FREIGHT THROUGH EL PASO

BNSF, FERROMEX PARTNERS TO MOVES FREIGHT THROUGH EL PASO    The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. and Ferrocarril Mexicano said they have partnered to operate an integrated carload rail service that crosses the U.S./Mexico border at El Paso, Texas.
   The service, which is initially being offered for select forest product commodities, including scrap paper, lumber, plywood and particleboard, takes a more direct route between major markets in the western United States and Mexico. The majority of rail traffic into and out of Mexico has crossed the border in south Texas, the railroads said.
   'This new service provides a shorter route for customers moving freight into and out of Mexico — resulting in better transit times and improved economics for shippers,' said Richard Miller, assistant vice president, BNSF Mexico Business. 'This service provides a truck-competitive alternative for customers in Mexico and the western United States.'
   'Ferromex is committed to developing the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez gateway to provide shippers with an effective alternative to other South Texas gateways,' said Rogelio Velez, Ferromex's vice president, marketing.
Pricing for the service is dock-to-dock and includes all service prices associated with the move, including the rail moves by BNSF and Ferromex, and the car hire within Mexico. Pricing is presented in U.S. dollars and can be found on BNSF's Web site, at https://www.bnsf.com/business/rates/html/rate_index_by_bus_area.html , or by calling (888) 700-3075.
   Ferromex, which began operating on Feb. 19, 1998 after obtaining concession from the Mexican government, has more than 10,500 kilometers of track, and represents 80 percent of the coverage of the Mexican National Railway System. The railroad connects five Mexican urban centers, five U.S. border cities, four Pacific seaports and two more on the Gulf of Mexico.
   BNSF operates one of the largest rail networks in North America, with 33,000 route miles of track covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces.