The Fertilizer Institute released a statement in response to the application submission with the Surface Transportation Board requesting approval of a merger between the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads. “The Fertilizer Institute relies heavily on rail and many shippers already operate with limited transportation options, increasing costs, and continued service challenges, all with a ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ approach from railroads,” the statement said. “Our priority is a rail system that provides reliable service and a balanced relationship between carriers and carload shippers, with accountability for systemic rail service failures and a rate review process that’s efficient, timely, and economical.” The Institute also said that while it’s still reviewing the filing, it’s “difficult” to see how any coast-to-coast merger would improve this imbalance or meet the standard set out in the Surface Transportation Board’s merger rules. “Railroads hold all the cards, and larger mergers only stack the deck,” the Institute added.
Welcome
