S. 953 would amend title 49, United States Code, to ensure competition in the rail industry, enable rail customers to obtain reliable rail service, and provide those customers with a reasonable process for challenging rate and service disputes.
Detailed Summary
Railroad Competition and Service Improvement Act of 2007 - Sets forth Surface Transportation Board directives calling for effective competition among rail carriers and reliable rail transportation service for rail customers.
Requires a rail carrier, upon shipper request, to establish rates for transportation and provide requested service between any two points on the carrier's system.
Prohibits the Board from issuing a certificate authorizing construction and operation of railroad lines, short line purchases by Class II and Class III rail carriers, or consolidation, merger, and acquisition of control of rail carriers, or exempt from such certificate requirements any person, transaction, or service with respect to such activity, if the activity involves a transfer of interest in a line of railroad, from a Class I rail carrier to a Class II or III rail carrier, and the activity would directly or indirectly: (1) restrict the ability of the Class II or Class III rail carrier to interchange traffic with other rail carriers; (2) restrict competition of rail carriers in the region affected by the activity in a manner that would violate U.S. antitrust laws; or (3) require higher per car interchange rates for Class II or Class III rail carriers to interchange traffic with other rail carriers. Prescribe procedures for Board review of any activity alleged to have resulted in a restriction of competition.
Mandates the Board (currently, discretionary) to require rail carriers to enter into reciprocal switching agreements where it finds it is practicable and in the public interest, or where such agreements are necessary to provide competitive rail service.
Requires the Board to designate any state or substantial part of a state as an area of inadequate rail competition after making certain findings.
Requires the Board to post rail service complaints on its website.
Sets forth time limits for the Board to act on complaints filed alleging unlawfulness of a new or revised rail rate, rule, or practice.
Establishes the Office of Rail Customer Advocacy.
Grants rail customers access to a Board process for determining rail rate reasonableness in railroad market dominance cases.
Requires submission to arbitration of certain rail rate, service, and other disputes.
Authorizes the Board to investigate rail carrier violations on its own initiative (currently, authorizes the Board to investigate only on complaint). Mandates the Board (currently, discretionary) to initiate an investigation upon receiving a complaint alleging rail carrier violations.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 3/21/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Sam Mac
This is crazy
Scott
Intersting bill
Ron
I wish United States would save its rails. It helps to be less reliant on the foriegn oil.
Cecil B.
The rail industry is the most "saved" industry in the U.S. already Ron.
Maybe playing by the economic rules that the rest of the business world follows will force railroad managers to actually manage. I'd imagine that earning profits due to good ol' fashioned hard work instead of government coddling might go a long way. Besides, the rail industry is here to stay... the companies that control it, well, let the competition begin.
Jim
Sounds like re-regulation to me - full circle. Dust off all the old ICC dockets.
J P Kohler
I am a retired Railroad employee with 44 years service. I worked during regulation and reregualition I was working when the Staggers act was passed and i can assure you things got much better after deregulation I worked both union and non union jobs.The reregulation of the Railroads will not be good.The Railroad interfracture,tracks and rooling stock will not be maintained and there will be a loss of Jobs. Retirement income and benefits will be cut.
J P Kohler