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Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation

U.S. lawmakers hear pros, cons of STB regulation

By Julie Sneider, Senior Associate Editor

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials held a hearing March 8 to collect stakeholder input on the Surface Transportation Board's (STB) role in regulating the freight-rail industry.

The proceeding was held as the subcommittee's members prepare for STB reauthorization legislation, subcommittee Chair Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.) said in prepared remarks.

Speakers included House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and representatives from Amtrak and the freight-rail industry, such as rail shippers, associations and unions.

Several of them called out Class Is for poor service and other issues they attributed to the railroads’ adoption of precision-scheduled railroading (PSR).

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