Partial economic deregulation for private freight railroads nearly 40 years ago saved the industry from ruin.
This market-based, balanced framework — overseen by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) — allows freight railroads to manage assets and pricing without overt government intervention while also providing a venue for shippers to address rail service concerns. Freight railroads support a continuation of existing balanced regulatory policies. The current regulatory framework protects rail customers against unreasonable railroad actions while allowing railroads to earn enough to make massive investments into their private 140,000-mile network. These investments ensure freight rail remains America’s critical connector.
Freight Rail Policy Stance: The STB must not implement wholesale changes that would compromise the ability of railroads to earn the revenue necessary to reinvest in the network and their employees to meet customer demand.
