South Dakota Senator John Thune, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, praised the committee’s bipartisan passage of his Surface Transportation Board (STB) reform bill, which he introduced along with Florida Senator Bill Nelson. Thune and Nelson’s bill, would streamline the board’s ability to work together and address rate disputes and service complaints before they become larger issues.
Thune says they also need to take another look at previously adopted safety measures.
Positive Train Control would more quickly communicate the location and status of all rail cars in the country.
Thune says the installation deadline should be extended.
Thune has worked with the STB, as well as senior leadership of Canadian Pacific Railway and BNSF Railroad, to address service issues that South Dakota shippers have raised.
