The Rail Passengers Association (RPA) recently urged Congress to confirm Surface Transportation Board (STB) nominees Patrick J. Fuchs and Michelle Schultz, both of whom had a hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation earlier this month and were approved by the panel.
STB is the nation’s economic rail regulator and has jurisdiction over railroad mergers railroad and common carrier disputes concerning service and unreasonable rates. Its predecessor was the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Fuchs is a staff member of the committee and Schultz is associate general counsel for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.
“Our association has had the pleasure of working with Patrick closely during his time as a senior staff member of the Senate Commerce Committee, and we cannot speak highly enough of his commitment to improving America’s rail network and the depth of experience and knowledge he brings to his work,” RPA President Jim Mathews said. “No one knows better the intent behind the passenger rail protections included in the FAST Act, and I know Patrick will be fair and judicious in the rail matters brought before the STB.”
The two vacant seats were created by the 2015 Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act.
If Fuchs and Schultz are confirmed, they will each serve five-year terms.