STB Chairman Patrick Fuchs has launched a focused effort to reduce the Surface Transportation Board’s backlog of unresolved regulatory cases, many of which have remained inactive for years. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to provide timely decisions for railroads, shippers, and public stakeholders. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

STB Chairman Patrick Fuchs has launched a focused effort to reduce the Surface Transportation Board’s backlog of unresolved regulatory cases, many of which have remained inactive for years.

In Colorado, the STB is preparing a decision in a case involving a 6.2-mile rail segment in Weld County. Landowners filed a petition in October 2022 requesting adverse abandonment of the line, which is owned by Great Western Railway of Colorado.

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After completing the Final Environmental Assessment in May 2023, Fuchs submitted a proposed draft decision this June. A ruling is expected in mid-July.

STB Targets Action on Infrastructure and Merger Petitions

Union Pacific’s merger with the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, commonly known as the Katy, remains under scrutiny. Kansas City Southern submitted a petition in August 2023 urging the board to enforce merger conditions. Although the board last took action in September 2023, Fuchs advanced a new proposal in April 2025, and the board is expected to act in early July.

In Georgia, Savannah Industrial Logistics is seeking retroactive approval for building an 11,404-foot rail line in Effingham County. Its affiliate, Savannah Industrial Transportation, also filed for after-the-fact approval to lease and operate the same track. Following the board’s Final Environmental Assessment in May 2025, Fuchs plans to circulate a draft ruling in July.

Walkersville Southern Railroad filed a request in March 2024 to discontinue operations on a 2.21-mile rail segment owned by the Maryland Transit Administration. Frederick County responded with a petition to preserve the corridor under the National Trails System Act. While the Office of Proceedings denied the county’s request, appeals are underway. A final decision is expected in summer 2025.

STB Revisits Revenue Policy and Trail Use Disputes

The STB is also renewing focus on broader revenue adequacy policy. Proceeding EP 722, initiated in 2014, explores how the board determines if a railroad is financially adequate and how that status impacts rate reasonableness cases. Although comments were received and public hearings were held, the board has not taken public action since 2019. Fuchs now expects a decision by August 2025.

Likewise, Proceeding EP 766 addresses annual revenue adequacy determinations for Class I carriers. Several major freight railroads petitioned the board in 2020 to revise current practices. The board last acted in July 2021, but a new draft ruling is under review, with a final decision planned for August 2025.

In April 2024, the City of Philadelphia submitted a petition for a declaratory order related to the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad. The board responded in May 2025. Fuchs intends to present a draft order for full board review in August.

By accelerating progress on these dockets, Fuchs is restoring momentum to the regulatory process. The consistent pace of action signals a new era of efficiency at the STB, which many industry stakeholders have long called for.

Source: www.trains.com

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