WASHINGTON — In separate actions Wednesday, the Surface Transportation Board outlined additional information for its upcoming hearing on Amtrak’s efforts to initiate Gulf Coast service, and on its consideration of new rules regarding reciprocal switching.
Rules outlined for Amtrak hearing, to be held online
Regarding the Amtrak hearing, set to begin April 4, the board has directed the parties taking part to file exhibits electronically by March 30, with hard copies due at STB headquarters between 9 a.m. and noon that day.
The hearing will be held via Zoom. CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and Amtrak will be allowed 20 minutes for opening statements and 30 minutes for closing arguments, with the Port of Mobile allowed 10 minutes for its opening statement and 15 minutes for its closing argument.
Public viewing of the hearing will be available at the board’s YouTube channel, via this link. Additional information is available in Wednesday’s decision on hearing procedures.
Additional comments allowed on reciprocal switching
The board said it will allow supplemental written comments, limited to issues raised at its March 15-16 hearing on the reciprocal switching proposal or in previously submitted written materials. Those comments are due April 4.
The board also extended the period for ex parte communications to April 22. The board’s Wednesday ruling is available here.
