accessorial charges

In today’s labor market, “throwing people at the problem” does not work.

The board hopes the decisions will clarify the controversial practice for stakeholders.

The changes come as the railroad deploys precision scheduled railroading.

The regulatory agency for rail receives a flurry of feedback on rail rate reasonableness and demurrage and accessorial charges.

The proposed actions address major rail shipper complaints voiced to the Board earlier this year.

Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific are modifying some of the ways they collect demurrage and accessorial charges for some commodities, but some shippers are questioning the modifications.

“The board has the authority to define reasonable practices. If you were in our shoes, what would you do?” said Surface Transportation Board vice chairman Patrick Fuchs to a panel representing BNSF, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific.

At least 35 groups will be testifying before the Surface Transportation Board this week to provide their perspective on how the Class I railroads assess demurrage and accessorial charges. The charges have become controversial because some shippers say the changes that the Class I railroads have made in administering the charges are unfair.