WASHINGTON (June 19, 2020) ─ The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a bill that calls for a federal study of the impacts of Precision Scheduled Railroading. In recent years, the major railroads have instituted significant changes to their operations that have been poorly communicated and disrupted the production of essential products. The language that calls for the study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office is part of the INVEST in America Act and was authored by Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR).
The American Chemistry Council’s President & CEO, Chris Jahn issued the following statement regarding the new study:
“During several hearings, Congress and the Surface Transportation Board (STB) heard testimony from large and small businesses across America, including many of our members that have been hurt by the drastic operational changes adopted by the major railroads as part of their pursuit to implement Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR). Changes were often made with little advance notice or consultation with customers and resulted in harmful service reductions and higher shipping costs.
“We commend the STB for its recent actions to address some of the problems that have been a direct result of PSR, including the Board’s new policies regarding demurrage charges. We also applaud Congressman DeFazio for his efforts to help stop unfair freight rail policies and his call for an objective and thorough examination of the impacts of PSR. The results of the study should help guide the STB as the Board continues to pursue additional freight rail policy reforms.”