Port of N.Y.-N.J. boosts ExpressRail incentives

Port of N.Y.-N.J. boosts ExpressRail incentives    To boost use of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's on-dock rail system, the agency's board of commissioners on Thursday approved an incentive that pays $25 per container to any company booking on a railroad to or from a new ExpressRail origin or destination that has started since the beginning of the year.
   For instance, Norfolk Southern recently started to offer rail service from the Port of New York and New Jersey to Harrisburg, Pa. This location has traditionally been served by truck because of its proximity to the port.
   'This incentive program leverages our $600 million investment in on-dock rail, and will help further reduce congestion on our local roads and improve local air quality,' said Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia, in a statement.

Coscia

   In January, the port authority initially offered shippers a $25-per-box incentive for each container they transport by rail above the number they transported the previous year. Under this program, if an ocean carrier increases its rail cargo business in 2009 over 2008 levels, it would receive a $25 incentive for each additional container it ships by rail over that amount.
   During 2008, the port set a new record for its on-dock rail system, transporting 377,827 containers for the year, a nearly 6 percent increase over 2007. This year, due to the national economic downturn, cargo business is down about 17 percent in the first quarter. This has resulted in a corresponding decline in rail business, the port authority said.

Ward

   'The competition for port business is intense, and we must find creative ways to maintain our competitive edge during difficult economic times,' said Chris Ward, the port authority's executive director.
   The port authority is working to upgrade its ExpressRail facilities in Newark and Elizabeth, N.J., and Staten Island, N.Y. This summer two major projects are scheduled for completion, namely the opening of a second lead track into ExpressRail Elizabeth, and the completion of a rail support facility along Corbin Street. These projects will nearly double the port's rail capacity and improve overall rail service, the port authority said. ' Chris Gillis