The Surface Transportation Board has issued a proposal of new regulations that includes permanent weekly reporting by all Class 1 Railroads and by the Chicago Transportation Coordination Office. Railroads have been making weekly reports on a temporary basis but that has no expiration date. South Dakota Soybean Board Director and Vermillion area grower Jerry Schmitz says reporting has been helpful and railroads have responded well the previous rail car back log problems.
Schmitz says his group along with other ag organizations have been working with the railroads on the back log issue for some time and will continue that process.
Schmitz says Burlington Northern Santa Fe has committed to upgrading the number of rail cars.
Surface Transportation Board officials say by making the reporting permanent it would improve their ability to identify and help resolve future regional or national service disruptions more quickly should they occur.