SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Freight rail is critically important to the nation's economy, and the Board has an interest in the health and growth of the industry and the need for rail customers to move their goods efficiently and reliably. On the subject of freight rail industry growth, while the Board recognizes that some shifts in volume may not be primarily within the control of rail carriers, the Board has observed that over the past ten years carload volumes have not grown, and have in fact decreased.^[1] The Board wishes to explore how industry participants are strategizing and innovating to reverse this recent trend and achieve freight rail growth. For example, the Board is interested in the Class I railroads' short-, medium-, and long-term growth strategies, including investments, across traffic types. The Board would also like the perspective of short line railroads, who can present evidence of their own growth strategies. The Board is also interested in shippers' plans or desire for future use of rail, factors that may affect their shipment decisions, and what rail carriers are doing and can do to increase shippers' use of rail. This hearing presents a chance to discuss the opportunities for growth in the freight rail industry, as well as the challenges and effects associated with a failure to grow.

The Board will hold a public hearing to explore these topics on September 16 and 17, 2024, beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET each day, at its headquarters in Washington, DC. In addition to requesting the attendance of executive-level officials from the Class I railroads, the Board invites and welcomes testimony from industry analysts, other rail carriers, rail customers, rail suppliers, labor organizations, and other interested parties. Participation at the hearing will be limited to those who file notices of intent to participate, and the ( printed page 57498) Board will, in a subsequent decision, provide time limits for each speaker.

Board Releases and Transcript Availability: Decisions and notices of the Board, including this notice, are available on the Board's website at www.stb.gov. The Board will issue a separate notice containing the schedule of appearances. A transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Board's website once it is available.

It is ordered:

1. A public hearing will be held on September 16 and 17, 2024, beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET each day, in the Hearing Room of the Board's headquarters, located at 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423-0001.

2. By August 14, 2024, any person wishing to speak at the hearing shall file with the Board a notice of intent to participate identifying the party, the proposed speaker(s), and the amount of time requested.

3. Written testimony from hearing participants and written comments from any other interested persons must be filed by August 16, 2024.

4. Filings will be posted to the Board's website and need not be served on any hearing participants or other commenters.

5. This decision is effective on its service date.

6. This decision will be published in the Federal Register .

89 FR 57497