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202-288-5519 CURE URGES STB TO OPPOSE DELAY IN PLANS TO REVIEW COMPETITION IN RAIL INDUSTRY WASHINGTON, D.C. – Citing the fact that U.S. rail customers daily suffer the adverse affects of “unfavorable railroad rates and service,” Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE) today submitted a letter to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) opposing extensions of the comment period and hearing on the STB’s review of rail competition. “[T]he current rail regulatory program, by denying access to competition for many American rail customers, favors foreign imports with the lowest possible rates, while imposing significantly higher rates and less reliable service on many domestic manufacturers and producers,” wrote Bob Szabo, Executive Director of CURE. “Every day the Board delays addressing the problems with its current regulatory policies, American companies, American consumers and American jobs suffer.” On January 11, 2011, the Surface Transportation Board announced a May 3rd public hearing to explore the current state of competition in the railroad industry and possible policy initiatives to promote more rail-to-rail competition. At that time the STB announced that written comments for the hearing were due by February 18th. The American Association of Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) have requested an extension of the comment filing period, with ASLRRA requesting a 90-day extension, and a rescheduling of the hearing to accommodate the change. “We believe the time is long since past for the Board to engage in this review,” concluded Szabo. “We oppose any extension of the time for filing comments in this proceeding. If the Board believes an extension is necessary, then we strongly encourage the Board to restrict that extension to 30 days at most, for opening and reply comments and for the date of the hearing.” Szabo’s complete letter to the STB is attached and can also be found at www.railcure.org. ### |
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