Search Results for agency_names:"Surface Transportation Board"

RYAL, LLC, a noncarrier company owned by Paul Didelius, has filed for a modified certificate of public convenience and necessity to lease and operate a 26-mile rail line in Washington State. This line is owned by the Port of Royal Slope and was previously leased to WRL, LLC. The line was authorized for abandonment in 1980 but remained operational after being sold to the Port in 1982. There are no subsidies involved, and shippers will not face preconditions for service. RYAL has also provided proof of insurance coverage as part of its filing.

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART), a Class III rail carrier, has filed for an exemption to acquire and operate an 87.65-mile rail line from North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) in California. The transaction allows SMART to be the freight operator using a noncarrier contract operator and is expected to be completed on or after March 4, 2021. SMART assures that its annual revenues from the deal will not exceed $5 million and that there are no agreements limiting future connections with other carriers. This transaction is mostly exempt from environmental and historic preservation reviews.

Land Rush Rail Corporation (LRRC), a non-carrier company, filed for an exemption to lease and operate a 37.26-mile rail line in Kansas and Oklahoma, previously under Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad's control. This transition follows a Federal Railroad Administration emergency order that stopped BNGR's operations, granting a temporary license to Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad to manage the line. LRRC's annual revenue from this transaction is projected not to exceed $5 million, and the transaction may proceed on or after March 20, 2025, unless revoked. The exemption is categorized as environmentally and historically negligible, exempting it from broader regulatory reviews.

The Surface Transportation Board is updating its list of arbitrators for handling rail rate and practice complaints, as required annually. They are inviting new applicants to submit their qualifications and current arbitrators to confirm their continued availability by January 27, 2025. Applicants should highlight their experience with rail transport and economic regulation, along with their arbitration skills and contact information. The updated list will feature each arbitrator's background, expertise, and contact details, and will be available on the Board's website.

The Surface Transportation Board has approved the Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) for the second quarter of 2025. This factor, submitted by the Association of American Railroads, helps to measure the changes in costs for the nation's largest railroads over time. The Board reviewed and adopted three specific RCAF figures: an unadjusted figure of 0.945, an adjusted figure of 0.366, and an RCAF-5 value of 0.347. These decisions are applicable starting April 1, 2025.

The Surface Transportation Board reviewed a petition from the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition to build an 85-mile railway in Utah to connect the Uinta Basin with the national rail network. The Coalition seeks an exemption from the usual prior approval requirements, arguing that the rail line will provide critical transportation benefits and support local industries. While there is significant support, including endorsements from state officials, there is also opposition citing financial viability concerns and potential environmental impacts. The Board has made a preliminary decision on the transportation merits but will only finalize its decision after completing an environmental review.

Central New York Railroad Corporation (CNY) is a small railroad company that continues to lease and operate a rail line from Norfolk Southern Railway Company, covering about 123.1 miles between New York and Pennsylvania. This notice states that CNY plans to amend their lease to extend the term and adjust renewal conditions, while keeping all other original terms in place. CNY assures that the transaction will not make it a larger railroad and estimates their earnings won't go beyond $5 million a year. The Surface Transportation Board will allow this change to be effective from April 12, 2025, unless any misleading information is found or if objections are filed in time.

The Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern Railroad Corporation (MAN) has applied for permission to abandon parts of a rail line between Lowville and Carthage villages and within Lyons Falls, New York. MAN assures that no freight has used these lines in two years and rerouting is possible for any traffic. Employees affected by this decision will be protected by existing regulations. If no financial aid offers are made, the abandonment will take effect on February 13, 2025, unless delayed by legal actions. Comments on the environmental impact are due soon after a draft assessment is published mid-January 2025.

Portland & Western Railroad, Inc. (PNWR) has filed a notice to abandon a section of railroad track in Tigard, Oregon, covering about 4,111 feet, as there has been no train traffic on it since 2007. The exemption will take effect in January 2025, provided no objections or offers of financial assistance are received. PNWR has ensured that all environmental, historic, and procedural requirements for the abandonment process have been met. If there are any issues with the notice’s accuracy, the exemption could be invalidated, and any affected employees are entitled to protections.

Arkansas Southern Railroad, L.L.C. (ARS) has filed for an exemption to extend and amend its lease agreements with The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) for two railroad lines. The amendments, agreed upon in July 2020, will extend the lease until November 30, 2034, and include a commitment related to train interchange. ARS confirms this transaction won't increase their annual revenues beyond $5 million or change their carrier classification. Petitions to challenge the exemption can be submitted, with the earliest transaction effective date being March 14, 2021.