The REAL Truth about Railroads, Re-Regulation and Antitrust
12 Aug 2008
The REAL Truth about Railroads,
Re-Regulation and Antitrust
What CURE Doesn't want you to know. |
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Some want you to think that today’s railroads are completely exempt from antitrust laws.
The REAL Truth? America’s railroads are subject to nearly all of the antitrust laws that govern businesses in the
U.S. and operate on the same level playing field as any other business in the country.
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REAL Truth read
Who’s calling the railroads a monopoly? A small group of shippers. They say the railroads don't have any competition and are overcharging their customers.
The REAL Truth? Most shippers in America pay lower shipping costs — on average, they’re paying half of what they paid in 1980 — and they receive better service than when the system was heavily regulated. And we’re talking real dollars before adjusting for inflation.
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Real Truth read
Also, the Surface Transportation Board has mechanisms in place to address shipper concerns.(http://www.stb.dot.gov/stb/rail/consumer_asst.html)
Some businesses want the federal government to turn the world’s best freight rail system into their own proprietary distribution network. They want even better rates, more capacity and better service.
The REAL Truth? America’s freight railroads have grown stronger, more fuel efficient, more economical, safer and more reliable BECAUSE of a free-market economy that responds to customers’ needs — all customers, not just one set of special-interest shippers.
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Some claim that railroads are making "record profits" and taking advantage of the "little guy."
The REAL Truth? Railroads' profitability has improved dramatically over the past few years — after the dark years of regulation, there was no where to go but up. Improved earnings was a primary goal of deregulation of the industry in 1980.
The freight railroads operate in one of the most capital-intensive industries and pour record amounts of money back into infrastructure and other investments — an estimated $135 billion by 2035 to meet the country's growing demand — to improve service and efficiency.
The Council of State Governments - Eastern Region passed a resolution rejecting any attempts to reregulate the railroads saying such measures would deny "Impressive public benefits." (Read more on the resolution - click here.)
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If Congress follows CURE’s ill-conceived advice, this small group of special-interest shippers will win big — and we’ll all pay the price in reduced capacity and service and a steady degradation of the best, most efficient, environmentally friendly and fair transportation system the world has ever seen.
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When you know the facts, you’ll know Freight Rail Works!
Click here for more information and to get the REAL Truth.