Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger recently testified before the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Regulatory Reform Task Force, telling the agency it needs to defend the Staggers Act.
Established in 1980, the Staggers Act deregulated the U.S. rail industry by eliminating unnecessary, burdensome, and outdated regulations. Since its implementation, train accidents have decreased 78 percent, average rail rates have dropped approximately 45 percent and more than $635 billion of private capital has extended and modernized the rail system.
“The STB has a critical role to play in actively promoting and defending the regulatory structure that Congress has devised,” Hamberger said. “A number of important issues await action by a full Board, but the Regulatory Reform Task Force through critical sessions like this will be prepared to guide action once members are confirmed. We in the rail industry look forward to working with the Task Force and the Board to ensure that balanced, reasonable regulations meet the needs of rail customers, railroads, and the American public.”
The STB needs to withdrawal proposals that would be inconsistent with the Staggers Act goals, Hamberger said.
STB’s session was focused on receiving feedback from stakeholders on how to streamline agency processes.