Rail disrupts grain transport
Author
Published
10/16/2017
Grain handlers have become frustrated by rail disruption during critical transport period.
Grain handlers cite concerns regarding CSX Transportation. Mike Steenhoek serves as executive director for the Soybean Transportation Coalition (STC). Steenhoek says the railway lacks customer service.
“You’re seeing things like delayed trains and irregular service, and it has frustrated a number of agricultural customers. It’s a particular concern – the fact that this is happening during harvest season. During this key time, you have all this volume coming through the pipeline, and you want to make sure the pipeline is able to accommodate that. With CSX, from the testimonials we’ve heard from Ag shippers, that ability is lacking as of now,” Steenhoek said.
The issues stem from a change in leadership earlier this year, according to Steenhoek. The National Grain and Feed Association, as well as other grain handlers, cited such concerns to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Wednesday. The organization suggested steps to improve the service.
Read the full article on the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network website.
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