Rail Passengers Statement on CP-KCS Merger

For Immediate Release (23-3)

Contact: Madison Butler ([email protected])

Rail Passengers Statement on Surface Transportation Board Decision to Advance Merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern Railroads

Washington, D.C.—Statement of Rail Passengers Association President Jim Mathews on the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) decision to approve the acquisition of Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP):

“Based on CP’s public commitment to work with Amtrak on adding several new passenger train services as part of this merger, in combination with CP’s current status as an industry-leader in Host Railroad on-time performance, Rail Passengers is optimistic that today’s STB decision will result in a better U.S. rail network for passengers.

“However, Rail Passengers is pleased to note that the STB has included comprehensive data reporting requirements that will allow the Board to monitor operational patterns on an ongoing basis as this merger is implemented. We are particularly sensitive to the concerns of Illinois passengers who are worried that this acquisition will result in more delays for Metra trains. Generally, the U.S. rail industry has suffered from too much consolidation, resulting in regional monopolies and duopolies, slower operational speeds, and industry stagnation; it is critical that the STB exercise its regulatory powers to ensure CP’s good operational culture is transmitted to KCS, and not the other way around.”

As part of the conditions for approval of this merger, CP has committed to supporting several new Amtrak services, including:

• New service between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, LA;
• Adding additional trains between Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI;
• Studying a new service between Dallas/Fort Worth, TX and Meridian, MS (with the eventual goal of connecting to Atlanta, GA);
• Adding a second daily round trip between Chicago, IL and St. Paul, MN;
• New service between Detroit, MI and Toronto, ON.

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About Rail Passengers Association
The Rail Passengers Association is the oldest and largest national organization serving as a voice for the more than 40 million rail passengers in the U.S. Our mission is to improve and expand conventional intercity and regional passenger train services, support higher speed rail initiatives, increase connectivity among all forms of transportation and ensure safety for our country's trains and passengers. All of this makes communities safer, more accessible, and more productive, improving the lives of everyone who lives, works, and plays in towns all across America.