STB TO ISSUE PROPOSED RAIL MERGER RULES OCT. 3

STB TO ISSUE PROPOSED RAIL MERGER RULES OCT. 3    U.S. Surface Transportation Board Vice Chairman Wayne O. Burkes said Friday that the agency will issue its proposed regulations to govern future rail mergers on Oct. 3.
   Based on comments received from the public, “it’s fairly clear” two important factors must be considered in future merger cases — the preservation of the nation’s intermodal transportation system and competition, Burkes said.
   Adequate service to meet shippers’ needs is another issue for the STB to consider, he said.
   In the future, railroads will need to ensure adequate and reliable service. “And that will not be an easy challenge,” Burkes said.
   He added that if future mergers are approved, the STB will have to monitor them to see that the benefits promised by the railroads are delivered.