STB reschedules CSX public listening session

The public hearing to discuss Jacksonville, Fla.-based Class I railway CSX’s service issues of late has been reset for October at the U.S. Surface Transportation Board headquarters in Washington, D.C.

   A public listening session on CSX Transportation’s service issues that the Surface Transportation Board was compelled to indefinitely postpone earlier this month due to Hurricane Irma, has now been rescheduled.
   The STB confirmed Sept. 21 that the session has been reset for Wed., Oct. 11 at its headquarters in Washington, DC. The sessions had originally been set for Sept. 12, but was called off due to the hurricane, which hit the U.S. on Sept. 10.
   During the upcoming listening session, the Transportation Board plans to hear from CSX about its service issues and recovery efforts, as well as hear from rail shippers and other stakeholders affected by service disruptions.
   Shippers have informed the STB that CSX’s service deteriorated markedly during the second quarter of the year, which coincided with CSX’s implementation of significant changes to its operating plan.
   Specifically, rail shippers that rely on CSX have said they they’ve experienced increased and unpredictable transit times, loaded and empty railcars sitting at yards for days, unreliable switching operations and congestion at critical gateways, among other issues.
   CSX has been directed by the STB to appear at the listening session, and impacted shippers and other railroads have been encouraged to appear as well.
   Shippers, railroads, and other stakeholders are requested to file with the Board a notice of intent to participate, identifying the party and the proposed speaker, no later than Sept. 29.
   Any person who previously submitted a notice for the postponed session isn’t required to submit a new notice for the rescheduled session, but may amend or withdraw the notice, if needed, the STB has said.
   The listening session is set begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Board’s Hearing Room at the agency’s headquarters, 395 E Street, SW, Wash. DC.