摘要: |
To say that the freight rail carload and intermodal segments have been on a rocky ride over the last year or so would be an understatement. The reasons for this vary: service and staffing issues; lower volumes; inflation; and mixed economic indicators. However, there are some reasons for optimism. There are indications that perhaps volumes have bottomed out and could slowly be returning to growth mode, coupled with some visible signs of sorely needed service improvements-although more investment is needed. On top of that, the freight railroad sector remains squarely in the crosshairs of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), which has been keeping a watchful eye on freight railroads and has been more vocal regarding railroad service and new regulations. To help bring the current state of the nation's rail and intermodal network into sharper focus, LM is joined by some of the nation's foremost experts in the market, including Larry Gross, principal at Gross Transportation Consulting; Anthony Hatch, rail analyst and principal at ABH Consulting; and Adriene Bailey, partner and head of the North American Rail Team at Oliver Wyman. |