BLET NEWS FLASH

VP Wallace outlines PSR problems, offers solutions at STB hearing

https://ble-t.org/news/vp-wallace-outlines-psr-problems-offers-solutions-at-stb-hearing/
 
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, April 27 — BLET National Vice President Mark L. Wallace testified yesterday on behalf of the BLET at a hearing before the U.S. Surface Transportation Board titled “Urgent Issues in Freight Rail Service.” 
 

STB announced on April 7 that it would hold a two-day hearing to investigate recent rail service problems and recovery efforts involving several Class I carriers. Testimony on the morning of April 26 came primarily from shipper groups and organized labor. During his testimony, Vice President Wallace said that customer service is suffering, the nation’s supply chain is getting worse by the day, and train crew employees are resigning at unprecedented levels due to the implementation of the so-called Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) business model and draconian attendance policies.

“There’s a culture of profits over safety as railroads have become controlled by hedge fund speculators,” Vice President Wallace said. “It’s the business model that’s impacting service.”

Day 2 of the hearing is currently underway (live stream here). BLET’s written comments can be downloaded here (PDF).