U.S. Department of Justice

Commentary

Solution in Search of a Problem

FROM THE EDITOR, RAILWAY AGE FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE: There are a few observations my predecessor, Luther Miller, used to make when he came across language or statements that he deemed served little purpose: “Making the obvious less obscure.” “The Pope is a Catholic.” “A solution in search of a problem.” “Add that to your treasure trove of useless information.” I think he’d probably say the same thing about most of the statements the United States Department of Justice made in two filings about the pending merger of the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern.

DOJ to STB: ‘Protect Rail Competition’ (UPDATED)

The U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division on Jan. 24 reaffirmed its “support for the [Surface Transportation] Board’s review process and careful scrutiny of the competitive implications of the proposed transaction” that would merge Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS). The railroads respond.

G&W, EPA Reach Environmental Settlement

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Jan. 24 announced a settlement with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (G&W) and its affiliated companies for what it called a violation of Clean Air Act (CAA) locomotive regulations.

STB Approves CSX-Pan Am Combination

All five Surface Transportation Board members on April 14 signed off on CSX’s proposal to acquire Pan Am Systems, Inc., and its short line railroad subsidiaries, effective May 14.

DOJ Weighs in on Reciprocal Switching

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has submitted comments to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on reciprocal switching, in advance of STB’s March 15-16 hearing on the subject that has divided freight railroads and many of their major customers.

Over the past 12 years, Amtrak has brought 74 of 386 stations into ADA compliance.

New Report Assesses Amtrak’s ADA Compliance Efforts

Better planning and coordination could help Amtrak complete an “aggressive” $1.2 billion plan to bring its remaining stations into Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance by FY 2027, according to a report from the railroad’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).

CP, KCS Counter DOJ ‘Concerns’

Merger applicants Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) are refuting the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recent filing with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) questioning use of a voting trust and granting KCS an exemption under merger rules established about 20 years ago.

CP, KCS Advocate for Waiver ‘Right’

Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) submitted a filing to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) asserting what they say is their “right” to have their merger reviewed under a waiver the STB granted to KCS in 2001.