STB lowers filing fees

STB lowers filing fees    The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has dramatically cut fees for shippers to file a railroad rate or unreasonable practice complaint from $20,000 to $350. It will maintain a $150 fee to file an expedited small rate case.
   The STB said it expected the change would provide greater public access to its processes.
   It said it based its decision on three policy considerations:
   ' Filing of a complaint is often the STB's only mechanism for investigating and addressing potential rate violations or other unlawful practices.
   ' High fees for the filing of formal complaints may discourage shippers and others from bringing complaints before the board.
   ' Changes to STB regulations reducing such fees should improve the agency's management of its docket and resources.

Elliott

   In February STB Chairman Daniel R. Elliott III said “charging a small business more than $20,000 to bring a complaint is not right,' and expressed concern that that the some meritorious cases may not have been filed because of high fees.
   While he said the new fee structure would make it easier for shippers to file formal cases, Elliott urged shipper first to avail themselves of the free, informal mediation service offered through the agency's Rail Customer and Public Assistance Program. He added the agency also offers a successful program of formal mediation.
   The railroad shipper advocacy group Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE) said the decision was “a step forward and has been long sought by rail shippers.”
   'The STB should be commended for its effort in lowering filing fees and encouraging previously unrepresented shippers to tell their stories before the commission,' said Glenn English, chairman of CURE. 'However, this is the just one of many necessary reforms. We urge the STB to move forward on competitive access, categorical exemptions and other important rulemakings that can provide needed relief to rail-dependent shippers and American consumers.' ' Chris Dupin