For Immediate Release:             
                                                            

 Rail Customers Oppose White House Nomination to STB

Washington, D.C. (May 28, 2008) — Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE), a coalition of rail customers advocating for legislative reform of the railroad industry, today voiced its opposition to the Administration’s appointment of Husein Cumber to the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

President Bush nominated Cumber, a former employee of a railroad and real estate company in Florida, to be one of the federal government’s top regulators of the railroads. CURE Executive Director Bob Szabo urged the Senate to reject the appointment, citing Cumber’s lack of regulatory experience and the need for a rail customer advocate on the STB.

“Mr. Cumber is no doubt a fine individual, but he lacks the necessary regulatory and economic experience to properly oversee the rail industry,” said Szabo. “The position of STB commissioner is critically important to American consumers and should be filled by someone with a deep background in economics and regulatory law. The STB already has a long history of one-sided decisions in favor of the railroads. It’s time for the appointment of someone who understands the challenges and struggles faced by rail customers.”

CURE is seeking reform of the STB through legislation that would direct the STB to investigate rail pricing issues proactively. The bill would also make STB filing fees more reasonable and ensure fairness in determining rail rates. That legislation, The Rail Competition and Service Improvement Act (H.R. 2125 and S. 953) is pending before committees in both chambers.

###

For more information about CURE visit: www.railcure.org