CN EXPANDS EMPTY EQUIPMENT SUPPLY PROGRAM

CN EXPANDS EMPTY EQUIPMENT SUPPLY PROGRAM    Canadian National is on track to extend its guaranteed empty supply program to all CN-controlled freight cars by November.
   CN said 70 percent of its fleet targeted for the program, excluding bulk commodity car fleets and customer assigned pool cars, is covered by empty car supply guarantees. CN is in talks with its short-line partners to extend the program to off-line customers’ sidings.
   The guaranteed empty supply program, introduced last year, represents a fundamental change in how CN does business with its customers. Car orders are commitments, not forecasts, as was the case in the past. Today CN guarantees delivery of empty freight cars on specified “want” dates — dates agreed to with the shipper — in exchange for the shipper’s commitment to accept the cars on those dates. The program is backed up by financial penalties for either party that fails to fulfill its commitment.
   CN is also expanding the scope of its electronic capabilities to permit shippers to order and track empty freight cars under the guarantee program via CN’s Web site, www.cn.ca. Shippers can already track loaded cars, obtain estimated times of arrivals, calculated transit times and view and pay freight bills on CN’s site.