🏢Notice of Unified Carrier Registration Plan Finance Meeting
The Unified Carrier Registration Plan announces a public meeting to discuss significant agenda items, including registration fee updates, financial audits, and budget matters for the transportation industry. The meeting will be accessible both in-person and virtually, encouraging broad participation from interested stakeholders.
Learn More🚆Surface Transportation Board Approves 2025 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor
The Surface Transportation Board has adopted the fourth quarter 2025 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads.
Learn More🚌Van Pool Transportation Acquisition of George M. Carroll Transportation Approved
On August 18, 2025, Van Pool Transportation LLC (Van Pool) and AG Van Pool Holdings, LP (AG Holdings) (collectively, Applicants), both noncarriers, filed an application to acquire control of an interstate passenger motor carrier, George M. Carroll Transportation, Inc. dba George M. Carroll Inc. (GMCT), from its sole shareholder, John Schindler (Seller). The Board is tentatively approving and authorizing the transaction. If no opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.
Learn More🚚2025 Fee Updates from the Surface Transportation Board
The Board updates for 2025 the fees that the public must pay to file certain cases and pleadings with the Board. Pursuant to this update, 60 of the Board's 135 fees will increase, two will decrease, and 73 fees will remain at their current levels.
Learn More🚂Notice of Passenger Rail Advisory Committee Meeting Analysis
Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC), pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).
Learn More🚆Union Pacific's Proposed Acquisition of Norfolk Southern Overview
Union Pacific Corporation (UPC) and Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) (collectively, Union Pacific) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) and Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) (collectively, Norfolk Southern) (Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern collectively, Applicants) have notified the Surface Transportation Board (Board) of their intent to file an application seeking authority for the acquisition of control by UPC, through its wholly owned subsidiary Ruby Merger Sub 1 Corporation, of NSC and, through it, NS, and for the resulting common control by UPC of UP and NS. Applicants have indicated that 2023 will be the base year for their impact analysis and that they anticipate filing their application on or before January 29, 2026.
Learn More🚂Proposed Revisions to Locomotive Engineer Certification Requirements
This proposed rule would update FRA's locomotive engineer certification requirements by reducing the information that is required on an engineer's certificate and allowing certificates to be electronic. FRA is also proposing changes to the certification revocation process and the Administrative Hearing Officer (AHO) process. Lastly, FRA is proposing other administrative updates including revising definitions and correcting errors in the regulatory text.
Learn More🚂BNSF Railway Trackage Rights Exemption from Union Pacific Approved
The Surface Transportation Board has granted BNSF Railway Company permission for trackage rights to expire, which were originally set to remain effective indefinitely. This decision aims to minimize regulatory burdens and facilitate the movement of unit ballast trains necessary for maintenance projects, aligning with established rail transportation policies.
Learn More⛴️Notice on Coastwise Trade with Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel
The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to make determinations regarding the coastwise use of foreign built; certain U.S. built; and U.S. and foreign rebuilt vessels that solely carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. MARAD has received such a determination request and is publishing this notice to solicit comments to assist with determining whether the proposed use of the vessel set forth in the request would have an adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or U.S. coastwise trade businesses that use U.S.-built vessels in those businesses. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a description of the proposed service, is in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
Learn More📈Surface Transportation Board Notice on Waybill Data Release
The Surface Transportation Board is considering a request to utilize select data from its 2023 Waybill Samples, which contains confidential railroad and shipper information. Parties can object to this request, as mentioned in regulatory guidelines. The notice emphasizes the importance of compliance regarding the use of sensitive data within the transportation sector.
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