Rail Advocates Criticize UP-NS Merger Amid Passenger Concerns

The UP-NS merger has drawn strong criticism from the Rail Passengers Association, which fears the consolidation could harm national passenger rail services, including routes hosted by Amtrak. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies Over UP-NS Merger

Rail Passengers Association (RPA) CEO Jim Mathews said his organization would actively participate in regulatory proceedings for the UP-NS merger. He warned that both freight carriers have poor track records regarding passenger service accountability.

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Amtrak and Metra declined to comment on the merger, but Metra’s long-standing legal battle with Union Pacific over access to Chicago-area tracks underscores the tensions. RPA says the merger risks compounding these issues, especially if regulatory safeguards are weak.

Mathews noted that Class I railroads have shifted their focus from service delivery to shareholder profits. As a result, freight rail’s market share has eroded, and passenger service has suffered. He added that UP and NS are both facing federal legal scrutiny — UP regarding delays to Amtrak’s Sunset Limited, and NS in a Justice Department lawsuit over the Crescent’s performance.

Performance Data Fuels Concern Over UP-NS Merger

Federal Railroad Administration data from Q1 2025 shows Union Pacific led all Class I carriers in passenger train delays. Norfolk Southern ranked fifth, according to the same report. Amtrak’s 2024 host railroad grades gave UP a B-minus and NS a B-plus, though UP was noted for improvement.

UP currently hosts major Amtrak lines such as the Sunset Limited, Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, and Pacific Surfliner. NS hosts the Crescent, Cardinal, and other long-distance and state-supported services. Their combined network plays a vital role in national rail connectivity.

The Surface Transportation Board could use the UP-NS merger proceedings to demand enforceable service guarantees. During the CP-KCS merger, Amtrak negotiated new routes and infrastructure support in exchange for backing the deal. A similar scenario may unfold here.

Metra may also influence the outcome. It previously opposed the CP-KCS merger and secured partial oversight and dispute mechanisms, although not all demands were met. RPA insists UP and NS must prove this merger won’t degrade passenger service — a threshold they argue remains very high.

Source: www.trains.com

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