The Land Transportation Board (STB) reported that it has resumed the procedural timeline for considering the merger application submitted by Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) .

“It is important to note that this decision does not constitute a ruling on the merits of the merger application or on the issues raised by commentators or in motions submitted since the applicants filed on July 27. The Board will address these matters in subsequent decisions,” STB stated.

The agency recalled that on May 28 it accepted the applicants’ revised major merger request for consideration, but suspended the procedure requiring the submission of additional information.

“This step ensured that STB had the necessary information to thoroughly evaluate the proposed transaction and allowed the public an adequate opportunity to comment on whether the transaction is in the public interest. The applicants submitted supplemental information to the Board on July 7 and 27, 2026. In today’s decision, STB considers the record now sufficient to resume the procedural schedule,” the statement said.

The decision, he mentioned, favors the timeline that is designed to provide stakeholders with sufficient time to consider the potential impacts of the proposal .

Therefore, he explained that those who wish to participate in the procedure as registered parties (i.e., those who want to be notified with copies of all documents submitted in this procedure) must duly submit a notice of intent to participate to the Board before September 4, 2026 .

He indicated that comments on the revised application, including objections, requests for conditions, and any other evidence or arguments against it, must be submitted by November 18. Responses to the comments must be delivered by February 16, 2027.

In addition to establishing a procedural timetable, the decision also orders applicants to resubmit, within 10 days, any working papers to which selection criteria have been applied .

The STB also denied the railroads’ request for expedited proceedings regarding their proposals to divest themselves of control of the St. Louis Terminal Railroad Association. The applicants’ working papers must be submitted by August 28.

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El cargo STB reactivates timeline for merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern apareció primero en T21.

Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) reported that they submitted new information requested by the Land Transportation Board (STB ) regarding customer protection; however , the authority requested that the companies make certain employee data public.

The STB clarified that on May 28th it suspended the UP-NS merger process pending a new order and requested additional information from the applicants. In that decision, the Board stated that the suspension did not affect the discovery phase.

He explained that on July 2 , several unions filed a joint motion asking him to order the companies to reclassify as “public” the employee impact annexes included in the appendices of the revised application, arguing that they had improperly designated the information as “highly confidential.”

These annexes provide detailed information on how the proposed merger would affect UP and NS trades and management employees , including the number of posts that would be abolished, created, or designated as transferred due to the proposed merger, and the post transfer locations for certain posts.

“In its decision, the Board granted the unions’ motion, concluding that this type of information has been publicly disclosed in prior proceedings and does not appear to be commercially or competitively sensitive. Applicants must reclassify the employee impact annexes as public and submit those documents to the Board by July 27. It also notes its commitment to ensuring that its proceedings remain open to meaningful participation from all interested parties, and applicants may take this opportunity to address, as appropriate, any concerns about public participation as part of their supplemental responses,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, UP stated that it offered better customer protections than any previous rail merger. The new commitments are provided along with the additional information requested by the STB.

“The merger will provide our customers with faster, more reliable, and more efficient coast-to-coast service from day one and will generate savings that will be passed on to consumers. We speak with our customers every day, and by listening to them and reviewing STB feedback, we saw opportunities to offer additional assurances through an unprecedented set of voluntary commitments to our customers,” said Jim Vena, CEO of UP.

Among the new commitments are new competitive opportunities. The combined rail will significantly expand the Gateside Price Commitment (GPC), doubling the number of eligible shipments and extending the benefits to rail bulk carriers.

Similarly, railroads will preserve Class I for three to two shippers, as well as for two to one shippers, where they may legally grant access to another railroad.

Likewise, in the event that service performance decreases during the merger integration, customers will be able to obtain temporary access to an alternative rail service.

Regarding the public benefits of the merger that are not delivered on time, customers will have access to a new pricing process. Combined with the new service protection during the integration period, this new process places greater responsibility on customers.

“The public benefits of our merger are clear. A stronger supply chain makes American businesses more competitive. Shifting freight from road to rail reduces wear and tear on taxpayer-funded highways, improves safety, eases congestion, and lowers emissions. Revitalizing the rail industry creates well-paying, unionized jobs,” said Mark George, president and CEO of Norfolk Southern.

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El cargo UP-NS improve merger proposal; US authority calls for release of jobs data apareció primero en T21.

“With the merger, we see opportunities to enhance that growth profile by moving a significant portion of the business from trucking to rail. Today, trucks transport 43% of all freight tonne miles. To capture that market share, we will need to compete not only against trucks, but also against other railroads. We expect to win,” emphasized Jennifer Hamann, UP’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.

He mentioned that, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR) , their freight movement increased by 7% between 2020 and 2024. “We have grown in volume by delivering the service we sold to our customers and by operating with a resource margin that can adapt to demand.”

He noted that if the end-to-end merger is completed, it will offer a single-line service on 10,000 routes , connecting 88,000 new points; in addition, it will improve speed and increase service reliability by eliminating time-consuming interchanges.

He explained that currently, when an exchange is involved, railroads require at least one transfer, send more than one invoice, and cannot offer a single system for pricing, shipment tracking, or customer service.

“With the merger, we are also expanding our service product, adding seven new daily intermodal routes and six new manifest trains that will allow our customers to enter new markets. These new services strengthen rail competition. For our rail colleagues to compete against us, they will have to improve their own service offerings, reduce their prices, or both,” Hamann explained.

In that regard, he said that the Land Transportation Board (STB) recognizes that end-to-end, single-line, open-door service enhances competition, as it stated when approving the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger.

“Our merger is also end-to-end and inherently pro-competitive. The Gateway Committed Fare (GCF) extends those benefits to customers who would not otherwise benefit from enhanced competition, specifically at the origin or destination by CSX, BNSF, or a shortline partner. The GCF has been misrepresented as the sole competition-enhancing element in our record, but that misunderstands or misrepresents the key point: the GCF isn’t the ice cream, it’s the cherry on top,” he said.

It should be recalled that the STB accepted for consideration the revised merger application between UP and NS earlier this month and ordered the applicants to submit supplementary information by July 27.

“The STB considers that the applicants have provided sufficient information to meet the integrity requirements for a major merger application. Given the rather limited procedural issue of integrity, the issues raised by the commentators do not justify rejecting the revised application,” the agency stated.

According to UP, following this decision, more than two thousand letters have been sent to STB’s file , highlighting comments from a growing number of industry specialists, policymakers, and academics, who have expressed their opinions on the merger’s ability to strengthen the supply chain and boost the growth of the US economy.

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El cargo UP reiterates that the merger with Norfolk Southern will increase rail competition in the US. apareció primero en T21.

The Land Transportation Board (STB) accepted for consideration the revised merger application between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) and ordered the applicants to submit supplemental information by July 27.

“The STB considers that the applicants have provided sufficient information to meet the integrity requirements for a major merger application. Given the rather limited procedural issue of integrity, the issues raised by the commentators do not justify rejecting the revised application,” the agency stated.

This follows the unanimous decision of January 16, which determined that the applicants’ original application was incomplete, as it did not contain certain information required by STB regulations, so the applicants submitted a revised application on April 30, 2026, taking into account public comments on the integrity of the revised application.

However, the agency indicated that there are several aspects of the revised application that are unclear or underdeveloped and require supplementation at this stage of the procedure so that it has the necessary information to thoroughly assess—and the public has an adequate opportunity to comment—whether the transaction is in the public interest.

In this regard, applicants must submit supplementary information on enhanced competition, public benefits, service guarantee plan, market share projections, subsequent impacts of mergers, among others.

“As a result, the decision suspends the proceedings, including the environmental review, pending the applicants’ submissions and supplementary information from the STB. The suspension of the procedural timetable does not affect the remainder of the process. In a future decision, the agency will establish an appropriate procedural timetable for the rest of the proceedings,” it stated.

The STB noted that the current main merger rules established a modernized framework and introduced new requirements aimed at improving competition, integrity in profit estimates, service assurance and potential downstream effects.

“The rules also expanded the STB’s public interest inquiry and underscored the importance of assessing the impacts of a merger on short-line railways, ports, employees, communities, and other stakeholders who rely on a safe, efficient, and competitive rail network. In this context, the decision explains that, in examining the substance of the revised application, it will not initiate a procedural timetable that would, in effect, place an undue burden on the commenting parties. Initiating the process before key information is fully developed and submitted would require the board and the commenting parties to assess and respond to complex aspects of the proposed merger without the clarity and detail necessary to evaluate how the proposed merger aligns with the current regulatory framework,” it emphasized.

He specified that at least 12 in-person public meetings and several virtual meetings will be held , and a public project website, which will be updated throughout the EIS process, is available, as well as through the STB’s UP-NS Merger Resources page, to mention a few actions.

UP and NS celebrated the decision as an important step toward a revitalized and more competitive U.S. rail industry. The companies acknowledged STB’s request for additional information regarding its amended merger application.

“We are confident that this merger will offer more reliable and lower-cost transportation options for American businesses. We are presenting a comprehensive, data-driven application, backed by a detailed plan for a seamless integration. We look forward to the opportunity to show the facts and demonstrate the benefits for our customers, employees, and the United States,” said Jim Vena, CEO of Union Pacific.

Mark George, president and CEO of Norfolk Southern, said, “The added detail strengthened our analysis and improved the integration planning in our amended application. We are more confident than ever in the value this proposal will bring to all stakeholders and look forward to a thorough and transparent review.”

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El cargo US authority accepts revised UP-NS merger reques apareció primero en T21.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) insisted that the merger between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) is unnecessary and would allow that company to handle almost 50% of freight rail traffic in the United States .

Keith Creel, president and chief executive of CPKC, said the railroads’ new application does not change the underlying reality and falls far short of meeting the standards set out in the Land Transportation Board’s (STB) updated 2001 rules on large mergers .

“A combined UP-NS could place nearly 50% of U.S. freight rail traffic in the hands of a single company that already has a troubled history—some very recent—of abusing market power to the detriment of American businesses and workers. None of this serves the public interest. None of this serves the interests of shippers. All of this puts our supply chains and our economy at unnecessary risk,” Creel said.

The executive recalled that on May 8, CPKC submitted comments on the integrity of the revised application, noting that UP and NS did not meet the STB’s specific requirements to submit a detailed analysis of the market impact based on their future projections of participation in rail traffic flows for major freight and corridors.

“This has led us to ask, did UP overlook this specific instruction from the STB? If not, does UP have something to hide? One thing is certain: this is emblematic of UP continuing to have its own interpretation of STB rules and orders, and how they apply to UP,” he commented.

In this regard, he opined that if the STB accepts the resubmitted request, it will carry out a rigorous regulatory evaluation and review.

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El cargo CPKC reiterates that the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger is unnecessary apareció primero en T21.

The State Transportation Board (STB) reported that it will announce on May 8 whether the new merger application between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) is complete in order to proceed with the proposed transaction.

“The board will determine the completeness of the reviewed request; such comments should address only whether it is complete, as comments on the merits of the proposed transaction will be sought at a later stage of the proceedings if the board accepts the request,” the agency said.

He specified that applicants can submit a response addressing any comments on integrity before May 12 , so that an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) can initially resolve all disputes for an efficient procedure.

“Interested parties should file any discovery motions as soon as possible to allow the ALJ to resolve discovery disputes expeditiously, and it may rule on any motion on the effective date of this decision,” he explained.

Following this comment and response period, the STB will make a decision on the completeness of the document , either accepting it as complete or rejecting it as incomplete. This determination should not be confused with a determination on the substance of the proposed transaction. If the STB accepts the document, it will issue a procedural timetable for comments on the substance of the proposed transaction.

Similarly, the STB required applicants to redesignate the Company Disclosure Annexes as public.

For its part, the railway company BNSF reported that it is carefully reviewing the application submitted by UP-NS, which covers approximately seven thousand pages.

“Although our review is still in its early stages, the fundamental premise of the proposed merger appears unchanged. For that reason, we continue to have serious concerns that this transaction is not in the best interests of customers, competition, or the freight rail network as a whole—concerns shared by many other industry stakeholders and government officials,” said Tom G. Williams, the firm’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

He commented that if STB accepts the request, it will act quickly to establish a formal procedural timeline , one of the main reasons being the deadline for clients and interested parties to submit a Notice of Intent to Participate.

However, he reiterated that they will provide more information and additional clarity on the procedural review established by STB, once they review the document.

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El cargo STB sets date to accept or reject UP-NS merger request apareció primero en T21.

Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) filed a new merger application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Thursday, with additional analysis reinforcing that the combination will boost growth, allow substantial savings for carriers, and strengthen the U.S. supply chain.

“After completing the additional work requested by the STB, the facts remain clear: This merger enhances competition and delivers real public benefits that strengthen America’s supply chain. Our analysis uses comprehensive, system-level traffic data provided by all Class I railroads to identify even more opportunities for our combined railroad to grow and compete,” said Jim Vena, CEO of Union Pacific.

He asserted that the analysis of the updated application is the first in the history of rail mergers to use 100% real traffic data provided by the six Class I railroads in North America, rather than the sample data available from the STB, making it the most comprehensive assessment of market and operational impacts to date.

Furthermore, he confirmed that the merger will make rail significantly more competitive with long-haul trucking , taking approximately 2.1 million trucks off the road. Shifting freight from trucks to rail will save nearly $3.5 billion annually, benefiting consumers and making American products more affordable. Carriers will also save on inventory and equipment costs through the faster and more reliable service of the combined rail system.

“This merger is fundamentally about growth. Shippers have been clear about what they value, and the data backs it up. When single-track rail service is available, they choose it. Our combined network will offer seamless freight transfers within and across Mississippi Basin markets, with a responsible Class I rail system from origin to destination,” said Mark George, president and CEO of Norfolk Southern.

It should be recalled that on January 16, the STB announced its rejection of the application and invited both companies to submit a revised application addressing the deficiencies identified in the decision. The STB specified that the railway companies must include a comprehensive system impact analysis, market share projections for the entity to be created through the transaction, and the complete merger agreement, including the submission of any contracts or other written instruments related to the transaction.

According to their current analysis, the UP-NS combination is an end-to-end merger that connects the eastern and western United States with the goal of achieving growth through new routes and improved service that eliminates interchange transfers that can add 24 to 48 hours and costs to the supply chain.

To address the additional growth opportunities identified with stronger Class I traffic data, the amended application increases the projected number of new premium intermodal lanes operating seven days a week from six to seven, with a new lane connecting Northern California and the Southeast. “The combined company will have sufficient equipment and infrastructure capacity to support projected growth.”

Furthermore, the document confirms that the merger will preserve customer access to competitive rail alternatives and will not have a significant impact on geographic competition or the availability of independent routes.

“Our projections show that the combined rail will travel roughly the same number of ton-miles as our western competitor today, underscoring how this merger will increase competition in the market. That competition will drive innovation and help reduce costs—benefits that American carriers and consumers will feel directly,” Vena said.

Additionally, it will also generate more well-paid union jobs , as the combined company is estimated to need 1,200 new union jobs by the third year of the merger to manage new business, up from 900 in the original request. “This growth adds to the unprecedented guarantee of lifetime jobs.”

“As requested by the STB, the amended application includes more detailed market share projections that account for the growth the combined railroad expects to achieve as carriers shift truck and other rail traffic to its faster, more reliable coast-to-coast service. The analysis confirms what we’ve been saying: our merger will generate strong growth by offering customers a superior service product, which in itself creates competition in the rail industry. The announcement of our merger alone has prompted other railroads to respond with new bids,” George commented.

Both parties asserted that the updated application complies with the guidelines and presents an even stronger argument for why the United States needs a seamless, coast-to-coast railroad to revitalize the rail industry. The transaction remains subject to review and approval by the State Transportation Board (STB) within its statutory timeframe.

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El cargo UP defends merger with NS; files new application with US authority apareció primero en T21.

Union Pacific (UP) informed the Land Transportation Board (STB) that  it will submit a new application for its merger with Norfolk Southern (NS) on April 30 .

In a letter sent to the aforementioned organization, UP indicated that the decision was due to the fact that the first document submitted was considered incomplete by that regulatory authority.

“Union Pacific Corporation, Union Pacific Railroad Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company are submitting this letter to inform the Board that they anticipate submitting a revised application on April 30, 2026,” the letter dated February 17 stated.

It is worth remembering that on January 16, the STB reported that it rejected the request and invited both companies to submit another one that addresses the deficiencies noted in the decision.

The STB specified that railway companies must include a full system impact analysis , market share projections for the entity to be created through the transaction, and the full merger agreement, including the submission of any contract or other written instrument relating to the transaction.

In addition to actual and projected market shares of certain revenues and traffic volumes that demonstrate, among other things, the impact of the transaction on competition, to name a few.

“In the application, the railway companies project that the merger will result in traffic growth, including diversions, and state that the full impact of the transaction will not be realized until three years after completion. However, they present as projected market shares only the sum of the estimated actual market shares of UP and NS for 2023. The application does not contain future market share projections that show the combined effects of merger-related growth, diversions, and merger-influenced changes, as well as other changes in market conditions that the applicants anticipate,” STB stated at the time.

In addition to those problems, the authority identified further deficiencies in the application , such as the control of the St. Louis Railroad Association Terminal, since it is a significant transaction, not a minor one; “the decision identifies several technical and minor aspects that must be addressed in any reviewed application.”

The US railroads filed their merger application on December 19, 2025, a nearly 7,000-page document that includes a record 2,000 letters of support from stakeholders, joining shareholders of both companies who cast votes with 99% in favor of the merger.

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El cargo Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will submit a new application to STB in April. apareció primero en T21.

Union Pacific (UP) informed the Land Transportation Board (STB) that  it will submit a new application for its merger with Norfolk Southern (NS) on April 30 .

In a letter sent to the aforementioned organization, UP indicated that the decision was due to the fact that the first document submitted was considered incomplete by that regulatory authority.

“Union Pacific Corporation, Union Pacific Railroad Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company are submitting this letter to inform the Board that they anticipate submitting a revised application on April 30, 2026,” the letter dated February 17 stated.

It is worth remembering that on January 16, the STB reported that it rejected the request and invited both companies to submit another one that addresses the deficiencies noted in the decision.

The STB specified that railway companies must include a full system impact analysis , market share projections for the entity to be created through the transaction, and the full merger agreement, including the submission of any contract or other written instrument relating to the transaction.

In addition to actual and projected market shares of certain revenues and traffic volumes that demonstrate, among other things, the impact of the transaction on competition, to name a few.

“In the application, the railway companies project that the merger will result in traffic growth, including diversions, and state that the full impact of the transaction will not be realized until three years after completion. However, they present as projected market shares only the sum of the estimated actual market shares of UP and NS for 2023. The application does not contain future market share projections that show the combined effects of merger-related growth, diversions, and merger-influenced changes, as well as other changes in market conditions that the applicants anticipate,” STB stated at the time.

In addition to those problems, the authority identified further deficiencies in the application , such as the control of the St. Louis Railroad Association Terminal, since it is a significant transaction, not a minor one; “the decision identifies several technical and minor aspects that must be addressed in any reviewed application.”

The US railroads filed their merger application on December 19, 2025, a nearly 7,000-page document that includes a record 2,000 letters of support from stakeholders, joining shareholders of both companies who cast votes with 99% in favor of the merger.

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El cargo Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will submit a new application to STB in April. apareció primero en T21.

BNSF Railway reiterated that the merger between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) presents serious risks to competition, service and the supply chain .

According to Tom G. Williams, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of BNSF Railway, he noted the above after reviewing the merger application that the companies submitted to the United States Land Transportation Board (STB) on December 19, 2025.

In a letter sent to its customers, it mentioned that the growth promises presented by the companies are unrealistic , since the combined volumes of UP and NS alone have decreased by 13% in the last decade.

However, the first one promises 12% growth in just three years, almost entirely thanks to the conversion of truck carriers to rail carriers.

“STB statistics show that UP already earns more revenue from higher fares than any other Class I railroad. When this growth in truck conversion doesn’t materialize, you’ll pay for their merger premiums with higher fares. The protections proposed by UP are a Trojan horse designed to get their application approved,” he emphasized.

Regarding the Gateway Tariff Commitment proposed by UP, he considered that it excludes almost all shippers . Only 0.4% of all rail freight transport would be eligible. Furthermore, it expires in a few years, “leaving you vulnerable to monopoly pricing.”

Williams also indicated that integration risks exist due to UP and NS’s “trust us” approach, which does not offer fundamental safeguards against serious supply chain disruptions on a much larger scale.

“The last time UP led a merger integration in 2008, the STB had to extend its oversight period twice due to the congestion problems it caused in Chicago,” he recalled.

He noted that the UP-NS merger request cites more than two thousand letters of support , including some 500 from shippers, representing less than 6% of all traffic on the U.S. rail network.

In contrast, the Rail Customers Coalition—which represents carriers of more than half of all rail freight volume—has stated that the merger would create near-monopoly power , increasing costs for manufacturers, farmers, energy producers, and ultimately, consumers. Similarly, the Teamsters Rail Conference and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen , which together represent more than half of all rail workers, warn that the merger would reduce competitiveness and increase safety risks.

“These numbers matter. The voices opposing the merger represent the vast majority of customers and rail workers who interact with UP and NS on a daily basis. As more stakeholders review the application, opposition is growing. The application is so lacking in substance that several key players have already asked the STB to reject it as incomplete. When the STB finally accepts the application as complete, it will publish a timetable that will include a short comment period. This will be your opportunity to raise your voice and protect your interests,” he stated.

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El cargo UP-NS merger will bring risks to the rail industry: BNSF apareció primero en T21.