final offer rate review

Several rail shippers had asked the Surface Transportation Board to temporarily suspend a proceeding on a voluntary arbitration program for small rate disputes, but the board denied that request.

The Surface Transportation Board is advancing two rulemakings on small rate disputes concurrently to determine how best to address such disputes. The railroads prefer one rulemaking while shippers prefer another.

Actions by the Surface Transportation Board and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada show both agencies exploring whether there is a need to modify existing regulations.