STB WANTS AAR TO CORRECT RAIL-CAR INTERCHANGE ISSUES

STB WANTS AAR TO CORRECT RAIL-CAR INTERCHANGE ISSUES    The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has asked the Association of American Railroads to hold a meeting with railroads, shippers and other related parties to discuss ways to correct problems concerning the interchange of railroad cars between rail carriers.
   The STB’s action arose from a dispute between Union Pacific Railroad Co. and several smaller, connecting railroads with which UP interchanges traffic in the Chicago area. The smaller railroads had sought to impose charges against UP for delays in accepting railcars during interchange.
   UP said a railroad may not impose such charges on another railroad for delayed interchange unless all parties to the charges agree, or unless the charges are authorized by the STB.
   The STB said it can resolve these disputes, if the parties could not do so themselves, and will resolve this issue, if necessary. But the agency prefers the railroads to correct the interchange problems themselves.
   “If we were to rule against UP and find that carriers are not prohibited from unilaterally imposing interchange charges, the result could be a variety of charges, imposed pursuant to the actions of one carrier and the responses of another, that would now be conducive to the cooperation necessary for a seamless, efficient national rail network,” the STB said.
   Issues regarding interchange delays are usually addressed under the framework of the industry-wide Car Service and Car Hire Agreement and Code of Car Service Rules/Code of Car Hire Rules, administered by AAR.
   After the rail industry meeting, the STB wants AAR to suggest steps to resolve the interchange problems by no later than March 11.