WASHINGTON — There are now dueling petitions over Amtrak’s effort to launch Gulf Coast passenger service.
CSX Transportation last week asked shippers to sign a petition or send letters to the Surface Transportation Board in support of its position opposing Gulf Coast service unless Amtrak pays for extensive infrastructure work [see “CSX seeks shipper support …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 4, 2022]. The STB has begun posting letters from shippers on its website [see “Shippers urge STB to require capacity improvements …,” News Wire, Feb. 7, 2022]..
Now, the Rail Passengers Association has launched a petition asking the STB to order the restoration of service, not only because it says there “little compelling evidence” the two daily round trips would hamper freight service, but also to “set an important precedent” for efforts to add service. That petition is available here.
The STB will hold a hearing on the Gulf Coast case in two phases, with public comment and a pre-evidentiary hearing beginning Feb. 15, and the hearing itself beginning March 9 [see “STB sets details for hearing …,” News Wire, Feb. 2, 2022].
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