WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation board announced today it will extend the reply comment period for its proposed rule on reciprocal switching by 14 days to Dec. 20.
The board’s decision is in response to a request by a coalition of shipper groups — the American Chemistry Council, the Fertilizer Institute, and the National Industrial Transportation League. The related ex parte meeting period has been extended through Nov. 30.
The board, which has considered reciprocal switching proposals since 2010, released a proposed rule in September that would allow shippers who suffer from inadequate service to gain access to a second carrier [see “Proposed shipping rule takes aim …,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 7, 2023]. The initial comment period — which was also extended, by 15 days — concluded earlier this month, and resulted in comments that saw railroads concerned that the rule did too much, while shippers wanted it to do more [see “Railroads and shippers criticize proposed reciprocal switching rule …,” News Wire, Nov. 8, 2023]. The current comment period is for responses to those original comments.
Chairman Martin J. Oberman’s parting gift to the Class One railroads or their soon to be created shortline switching partners, who’s management will be 100% responsible to keep the shipper happy or else! (one theory)
Now, now Philip, how dare you bring reality into play !
“The board, which has considered reciprocal switching proposals since 2010”
That’s 13 years. How much of this traffic is moving via J B Hunt or a shipper-owned truck?