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Contact: Chad Kolton January 25, 2011 202-789-4365 RAIL SHIPPERS CALL FOR COMPETITIVE PRICING REFORMS TO HELP AMERICAN COMPANIES COMPETE IN GLOBAL MARKETPLACE WASHINGTON – In response to President Obama’s call for increased infrastructure investments during the State of the Union address, Consumers United for Rail Equity Chairman Glenn English released the following statement: “The president is calling for more investments in infrastructure, yet freight rail companies are already getting subsidies worth hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. We don’t need additional rail subsidies to strengthen U.S. companies; we need reforms to increase competition in the freight rail industry. “A lack of competition in the freight rail industry is supporting monopolistic pricing which benefits foreign imports at the expense of U.S. companies that depend on freight rail. Rail policies that load up on captive American manufacturers and producers, while providing the lowest possible rate to importers, are hurting American jobs by making it difficult for American manufacturers and producers to be competitive in domestic and foreign markets. “The upcoming Surface Transportation Board hearing on May 3rd is an encouraging step toward establishing competitive pricing and reliable service for American businesses, but there is much more to do. We urge the president and Congress to support reforms that foster a strong environment for manufacturers, farmers and consumers to save and create American jobs by getting the fair and competitive freight rail pricing they need to compete in both domestic markets and in the global marketplace.” Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE) is a coalition of freight rail customers seeking changes in federal law to allow for more competitive railroad pricing and reliable service. For more information about CURE, please visit www.railcure.org. ### |
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