Rail reregulation issue debated in U.S.

Edward Hamberger, the president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, , told a US Congressional committee on March 31 that the fight over reregulation of the rail freight industry is not one between railroads and their customers, but “a fundamental difference between” two groups of rail customers.

Hamberger, who was testifying before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Railroad Subcommittee, said that on the one hand are “some customers who cling to the belief that government should dictate the market place.” But they are more than balanced by “the rest of America’s shippers who understand and recognise how deregulation has improved service and lowered rates," reports schednet.com

While the railroad industry’s opposition to reregulation was expected, the overwhelming outpouring of opposition to these bills from railroad customers was unexpected, he added.

“Almost 400 railroad customers have written since last fall to oppose reregulation.”