To balance the needs of railroads and their customers, Congress created the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The Board is charged with resolving rail disputes, ensuring that railroads are able to earn adequate returns, and preventing railroads from abusing their market power over their customers.
While the financial health of the railroads has improved significantly, the STB suffers from persistent administrative and policy problems that disadvantage freight rail customers. For instance, the Board’s rate review procedures are overly complex, burdensome, and unworkable for most shippers. In addition, STB policies effectively block many shippers from accessing competitive rail service.
ACC is working with the Rail Customer Coalition - a large collection of trade associations representing a broad cross section of manufacturing, agricultural, and energy industries - on reforms that would promote greater rail-to-rail competition and provide the STB with better tools to effectively address freight rail problems.
