News Releases for January 2004
January 7, 2004
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Hoeven: BNSF Announces Rate Increase Exemption For Late Cars
Governor, BNSF Officials, Grain Dealers To Meet Friday In Fargo
BISMARCK, N.D. - According to Gov. John Hoeven, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) today rolled back a $100-a-car rate increase for cars with a want date prior to December 16, 2003 that have not been delivered.
Hoeven, along with Public Service Commissioner Tony Clark and North Dakota Grain Dealers Association Executive Vice President Steve Strege, met on Monday in Washington, D.C. with BNSF President Matt Rose and Surface Transportation Board Chairman Roger Nober. Today’s announcement by BNSF comes in response to Monday’s meeting.
“BNSF’s announcement today is a step in the right direction,” Hoeven said. “We will continue to work with our grain dealers, railroad officials and the STB to make sure we get fair rates and good service for our shippers. This issue is vital not only for our shippers, but also for our farmers and rural communities.”
Also, the Governor has requested that Rose and other BNSF officials will come to Fargo on Friday to tour the Prosper grain elevator and meet with grain shippers from around the state at the North Dakota State University’s Northern Plains Crop Institute. At the meeting, Rose and BNSF officials will hear from shippers on both rate and service issues.
Hoeven is continuing to press BNSF to get current on delivery of rail cars to North Dakota shippers, and to take steps to minimize rail car shortages for future harvests.
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