Association of American Railroads and American Short Line and Regional Railroad AssociationAgreementApplication Under 49 U.S.C. 10706

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The Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) have filed an application under 49 U.S.C. 10706 for approval of the rate-related provisions of an AAR-ASLRRA Agreement (the Agreement) that addresses issues raised in Review of Rail Access and Competition Issues, Ex Parte No. 575 (STB served Apr. 17, 1998) (Review). The Agreement, to which rail carriers may subscribe on an individual basis, is intended to provide a framework for improving the ability of smaller (Class II or III) railroads and Class I railroads to work together to fulfill their shared goal of serving the shipping public in the most efficient possible manner. The rate-related principles outlined in the Agreement constitute a series of bilateral commitments by each subscribing Class I carrier to each subscribing smaller railroad with which it connects with respect to switch charges and interline rates between those two carriers. These principles relate to rates within the meaning of 49 U.S.C. 10706(a)(2)(A). The Board is approving the application on an interim basis, subject to comments. If opposing comments are timely filed, the Board will consider the c