The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) is deeply disappointed that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has denied RSI’s petition to reopen the decades‑old car‑hire arbitration framework. The STB’s decision to “wait and see” the impact of minor incremental adjustments — none of which address the existing railcar fleet — leaves in place the fundamental structural issues that have discouraged investment in boxcars and contributed to growing market imbalance.
“Stakeholders across manufacturing, leasing, labor, and shipper communities have made clear that the current system is not functioning as the STB intended,” RSI stated. “Deferring action risks further deterioration of the national boxcar fleet and continued competitive distortions.”
RSI remains committed to working with policymakers, industry partners and the RSI Board of Directors to ensure that car‑hire practices promote fair competition, adequate supply and a healthy railcar manufacturing base.