More than 500 customers have publicly supported the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, according to the railroads, which cited additional letters filed with the Surface Transportation Board.
The companies said 23 additional shippers representing industries including agriculture, energy, fertilizer, forest products, food and automotive recently submitted support for the transaction. Those customers cited potential benefits including broader market access, improved supply chain reliability and the ability to move freight over a single coast-to-coast rail network.
The latest filings also included more than 150 letters from customers, first responder organizations, community leaders and elected officials, according to the railroads.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern said those submissions build on more than 2,000 statements filed with their amended application seeking federal approval for the transaction. The companies are presenting the customer letters as evidence of support for a combined network that would connect Union Pacific’s western system with Norfolk Southern’s eastern network.
The Surface Transportation Board will ultimately determine whether the proposed transaction meets federal requirements for a major rail consolidation. The customer submissions are part of the record the board will consider as it evaluates the application.
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