Rail Abandonments: Abandonment Activity and Shipper Views on Rail Service Loss
RCED-87-82
Published: Jul 17, 1987. Publicly Released: Jul 24, 1987.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on railroad abandonments, focusing on: (1) the amount of mileage railroads attempted to abandon; (2) shippers' and local officials' perspectives on the abandonment process; and (3) shippers' views on the effects of rail abandonments on their operations.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected Sort descending | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate Commerce Commission | Given the ICC regulatory requirement that the Office of Public Assistance (OPA) ensure that all aspects of proceedings are fully developed and that shippers be adequately informed of ICC assistance, ICC should modify its regulations to require that rail-user communities be informed of assistance available to protesters when railroads first notify ICC of their intent to abandon a branch line. Furthermore, OPA should be charged with this notification responsibility. The ICC Office of Hearings should also refer to available assistance in its Notice of Hearings if ICC decides to investigate a case set for oral hearing. |
Closed – Not Implemented
ICC does not plan any change in its current procedures.
|
Full Report
Office of Public Affairs
Topics
Agency proceedingsstate relationsRailroad industryRailroad regulationRailroad transportation operationsTransportation lawRailOpportunity costRailroadsPublic officials