WASHINGTON — The merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern may be a union of two freight railroads, but it is likely to matter for passenger railroading, as well.
Amtrak had formally supported the railroads’ merger application before the Surface Transportation Board. That reflected CP’s backing for passenger operations between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La. [see “Canadian Pacific commits to New Orleans-Baton Rouge passenger train …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 8, 2021] and support for a study of a Meridian, Miss.,-Fort Worth, Texas, section of the New York-New Orleans Crescent [see “Amtrak seeks expansion …,” News Wire, March 10, 2023 ] And CP has a solid record handling Amtrak trains, having received an A grade in the passenger operator’s most recent host railroad report card.
“Amtrak congratulates Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern on their newly approved merger,” Amtrak CEO Stephen J. Gardner said in a statement. “We believe this merger will have a significant and positive effect on Amtrak intercity passenger rail service.”
The Southern Rail Commission, involved in both the Fort Worth and New Orleans-Baton Rouge efforts, also welcomed news of the merger’s approval.
“I want to thank the STB for this historic decision, which will ultimately result in a long working relationship with CPKC,” said commission chairman Knox Ross. “This is a win for passenger rail service in our southern states and will positively impact all priority projects established by the SRC. SRC will work as a trusted partner to CPKC in making passenger rail service a more available mode of transportation for all.”
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