A Union Pacific rail car is parked at a Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train yard in Seattle, Washington, U.S., February 10, 2017. (Reuters File)
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
U.S. railroad customer groups have demanded regulators block or put onerous conditions on the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
Seven associations of shippers have expressed concern the planned deal would significantly increase the power of the merged railroad to raise prices or reduce service standards, the report said.
Last month, Union Pacific said it would buy smaller rival Norfolk Southern in an $85 billion deal to create the first U.S. coast-to-coast freight rail operator and reshape the movement of goods from grains to autos across the country.
The two railroads are expected to have a combined enterprise value of $250 billion and would unlock about $2.75 billion in annualized synergies, the companies said.
Reuters could not immediately verify the FT report.
Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Previously, the transportation division of SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, said it plans to oppose the merger when it comes before the Surface Transportation Board for review.
Major railroad unions have long opposed consolidation, arguing such mergers threaten jobs and risk disrupting rail service.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer also criticized the merger saying the deal would push “us even further down the road of dangerous consolidation and monopoly power … This is a hostile takeover of America’s infrastructure.”
—
(Reporting by Harshita Meenaktshi in Bengaluru; Editing by Chris Reese)
RELATED TOPICS:
US Air Force will Offer Military Funeral Honors to Slain Capitol Rioter
2 hours ago
Gentle Sweet Sasha Is Guaranteed to Steal Your Heart
3 hours ago
Clovis Police to Increase DUI Patrols on Labor Day Weekend
3 hours ago
US Republican Senator Joni Ernst Will Not Run for Re-Election, CBS News Reports
4 hours ago
Wall Street Falls as Dell, Nvidia Drive Tech Losses
4 hours ago
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps
57 minutes ago
Categories

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps
