Search Results for keywords:"Surface Transportation Board"

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.

Knoxville & Holston River Railroad Co., Inc. (KXHR), a subsidiary of Gulf & Ohio Railways, is seeking to abandon a 3.8-mile rail line in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. KXHR states that the sole shipper, Ergon Terminaling, Inc., has reduced its use of the line, resulting in revenues insufficient to cover operating costs, which exceed revenue by over 90%. The company has been operating at a loss since 2019 and does not expect traffic to increase. They have notified Ergon of their plans and indicated that the line may be converted for public use, such as a trail. The Surface Transportation Board will prepare an environmental assessment and issue a decision by March 31, 2025.

The Lowville & Beaver River Railroad Company has filed a notice to abandon a 10.57-mile rail line in New York, citing no traffic for over 15 years. The exemption for this abandonment will go into effect on February 13, 2025, unless there are objections or offers of financial assistance. The Surface Transportation Board has reviewed the situation, requiring the filing of environmental and historic reports. Employees affected by the abandonment will receive certain protections, and all legal proceedings regarding the abandonment must be completed by January 14, 2026.

San Joaquin Valley Railroad Co. (SJVR) has filed for an exemption to continue leasing and operating 101.5 miles of rail lines from Union Pacific Railroad Company. This lease, initially established in 1994 and most recently renewed in 2020, has been extended by a Lease Amendment signed in January 2025, allowing operations to continue for another five years. SJVR's notice also requests a waiver for a 60-day advance notice to labor unions, which will be decided separately. Moreover, SJVR confirms that its projected revenues will not exceed the limit set for a Class III carrier, despite current revenues being over $5 million.

The Federal Register Office has reinstated Chapter XL of Title 5 in the Code of Federal Regulations. This chapter includes Parts 5000 to 5099 and was previously removed due to the disbandment of the Interstate Commerce Commission. However, a legal provision allows these regulations to remain effective under the Surface Transportation Board. Therefore, the removal of these regulations was recognized as a mistake, and they have been restored.

Armstrong Hospitality Group and related companies, known collectively as Armstrong Group, filed a notice to gain control over American Rocky Mountaineer LLC when it becomes a rail carrier. American Rocky Mountaineer is seeking an exemption to run passenger rail services between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado, on Union Pacific lines. The Surface Transportation Board has set March 5, 2021, as the effective date for the exemption. This transaction doesn't involve any Class I carriers, and Armstrong Group assures there will be no rail line connections with Great Canadian Railtour, which it also owns.

The Surface Transportation Board has announced a vacancy on the Passenger Railroad Advisory Committee (PRAC) for a representative from a state that funds intercity passenger rail. They are seeking nominations from the public to fill this position by February 27, 2025. The PRAC advises the Board on topics like improving passenger rail service and reducing conflicts between passenger and freight railroads. Members of the committee serve in a representative capacity and do not receive salaries, but may receive travel reimbursements in cases of hardship.

Farmrail System, Inc. has submitted a notice of exemption to continue controlling Land Rush Rail Corporation (LRRC) once LRRC becomes a Class III railroad. This relates to LRRC's plan to lease and operate a rail line owned by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Blackwell Industrial Authority. The line does not connect with Farmrail's other railroads, which exempts it from certain approval requirements. The transaction involves Class III carriers only, meaning employee labor protections typically required for larger transactions do not apply. If all information is accurate, the earliest the transaction may proceed is March 20, 2025.

On January 22, 2025, Jefferson Partners, L.P., which operates as Jefferson Lines, applied to acquire the assets of Karst Stage, Inc., another passenger bus company. The Surface Transportation Board is tentatively approving this move, allowing Jefferson to continue its operations under a new company, Karst Stage, LLC, while maintaining separate identities but sharing management tasks. The approval is contingent on no opposing comments being filed by April 28, 2025. Jefferson argues this transaction will improve service and efficiency without harming competition or employee interests.

Puerto Verde Industrial Railroad, LLC (PVIR), a noncarrier company, plans to operate a 2.43-mile private railroad track in Maverick County, Texas, on the site of a former coal mine. This site, owned by PVIR's affiliate, Farming Hydrasource, LLC, is being converted into an industrial park. Once operational, PVIR will provide carrier services like switching and transloading for local businesses. The railroad's annual revenue is projected to stay under $5 million, classifying it as a Class III rail carrier. The earliest start date for operations under this exemption is January 1, 2025, and certain regulatory reviews do not apply to this project.