STB Seeks Input on First- and Last-Mile Rail Service Issues
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The Surface Transportation Board is seeking comments on issues related to first-mile and last-mile rail service, according to a notice published in the Federal Register on Sept. 8.
First-mile and last-mile (FMLM) service refers to the movement of railcars between local railroad serving yards and shipper or receiver facilities.
Specifically, the agency’s notice requests comment on whether additional metrics to measure FMLM service might have utility that exceeds any related burden.
“After hearing concerns raised by shippers across numerous industries and requests for transparency of FMLM data, the board seeks information on possible FMLM service issues, the design of potential metrics to measure such service and the associated burdens or trade-offs with any suggestions raised by commenters,” the Federal Register notice states.
According to the notice, “local trains” serve customers in the vicinity of a yard, placing inbound cars for loading or unloading activities and pulling outbound cars from each customer facility. Larger local yards may run numerous trains serving multiple customers, while smaller yards may run only a few local trains.
Besides weekly and monthly collections of certain railroad performance data metrics from Class 1 railroads, STB informally monitors the national rail network, including subjects such as fluidity and service issues.
Created by Congress in 1996, STB is an independent regulatory agency that oversees railroad rate and service issues.
STB-FMLM by Transport Topics on Scribd
Since the spring of 2020, the board has concentrated its monitoring efforts on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, engaging in frequent communication with carriers, shippers and other industry representatives. STB leaders also have asked carriers about supply chain matters, including local service issues.
The Federal Register notice states crew shortages and other issues related to the pandemic and global supply chain challenges have added to the importance of the board exploring FMLM service.
Voicing Concerns
A number of freight industry representatives have contacted STB about service issues:
• Freight Rail Customer Alliance
• National Coal Transportation Association
• National Industrial Transportation League
• Private Railcar Food and Beverage Association
• Fertilizer Institute
• American Chemistry Council
STB’s request for comments represents a more formal search for information, building on its dialogue with carriers and shippers. The public also may submit comments.
In particular, STB seeks recommendations as to specific additional data commenters view as important to identify FMLM service concerns that currently is not getting reported to the board.
Respondents are encouraged to provide concrete examples of service issues, including details as to when they occur, how they affect labor schedules and operations, and the nature of their financial impact. Participants also may wish to address what metrics can contribute to a better understanding of service issues and what data Class 1 carriers track that is relevant to FMLM service.
Comments are due Oct. 18. Replies to the comments are due Nov. 16.
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