BNSF Railway Company filed a request with the Surface Transportation Board to allow certain temporary trackage rights from the Union Pacific Railroad to expire at the end of 2025. These trackage rights enable BNSF to transport ballast trains between specific locations in California. The Board agreed to BNSF's request, stating that this would reduce regulatory oversight and would not negatively impact market power, as the rights are limited and specifically serve maintenance purposes. The Board's decision included protections for any employees affected by the change and is set to be effective on May 30, 2025.
Simple Explanation
BNSF Railway asked for permission to stop using some train tracks that they borrowed from another company by the end of 2025, and the government said yes because it wouldn't cause any trouble and the borrowed tracks were just for fixing things.