Harrison to STB: CSX undergoing ‘profound, transformational’ changes

According to CSX CEO Hunter Harrison, the plan to transition the Jacksonville, Fla.-based Class I to his so-called “precision scheduled railroading” program requires a “complete and thorough examination of each and every detail of CSX’s network.”    The chief executive of Jacksonville, Fla.-based Class I railroad CSX has responded in part to a request for information by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) by saying that the railroad is undergoing “profound, transformational” changes across its rail network as well as throughout the organization as a whole.
   In a letter dated Aug. 24 and addressed to the three members of the STB, CSX President and CEO E. Hunter Harrison responded to an appeal from the STB for information regarding the railroad’s operating plan for the remainder of 2017.
   The request came as CSX experienced months of service problems, starting in May, which led to a number of formal and informal complaints being filed with the STB.
   In his response, Harrison detailed his company’s “precision scheduled railroading” initiative, under which the railroad says it is looking to do five things: improve service, control costs, optimize its assets, operate safely and develop employees.
   The plan, Harrison said, requires a “complete and thorough examination of each and every detail of CSX’s network,” adding that the company is “intensely focused on maintaining a balanced train network, reducing freight transit time…and scheduling each car and train in a manner that delivers optimal results.”
   Harrison then went on to admit that the transition has led to some service disruptions, which he referred to as “temporary challenges.”
   “We recognize that congestion has impacted traffic flows,” the letter continued. “CSX has been and will continue to address remaining congestion.”
   Near the end of the four-page letter, Harrison struck an optimistic tone, saying that brighter days are ahead for customers of CSX, the company that he began to run in March after successful tenures at Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway.
   “Going forward, we expect our hard work on terminal efficiency, traffic flow adjustment and transit time to bring about enhanced service,” he said. “CSX is working tirelessly on its operating plan, asset utilization and deployment of resources to provide profound and lasting benefits for stakeholders.”
   Harrison’s letter was drafted the same day that STB docketed a public listening session regarding CSX’s recent rail service problems and the company’s recovery efforts.
   The session, scheduled for Sept. 12, is intended to give rail shippers and other stakeholders the opportunity to report on the repercussions the rail service problems have caused, as well as their experiences with CSX’s actions to fully reestablish its service, according to the STB.