In the Lone Star State, we stand tall and proud of our rich history, boundless opportunities, and thriving industries. Yet, a troubling problem lurks beneath the surface, one impacting the daily lives of many Texans – a breakdown in our nation’s freight rail system.
From Houston to El Paso, the signs are evident as Texans feel the pinch of rising prices and supply chain disruptions. It’s a troubling scene repeated in Dallas, San Antonio, and Amarillo: empty store shelves and extended delays signaling an urgent need for change.
Digging deeper, the root of this challenge can be traced back to drastic workforce cuts by rail companies in recent years. Between 2016 and 2021, the rail industry nationwide slashed 45,000 jobs, nearly 30% of the industry’s workforce. Major players in the sector decommissioned thousands of locomotives and closed rail yards, which meant fewer trains on the tracks, leading to about one-third of all rail cars failing to reach their destinations on time.
For Texas, a state that leads in economic growth and expansion, a robust freight rail system isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. The freight rail system’s poor performance doesn’t just strain our businesses; it affects the hardworking Texans whose livelihoods are intertwined with our thriving industries.
The crux of the problem? Federal policies have failed to keep up with massive freight rail problems, but the good news is there’s a glimmer of hope in the Freight Rail Shipping Fair Market Act in Congress. Approving the Act would give the Surface Transportation Board (STB) – the agency tasked with addressing transportation problems, better tools to help get freight rail back on track.
Recently, the STB rolled out new reforms aimed at improving rail service reliability, identifying rail service problems, and fostering greater competition between railroads. Such changes will not only shore up the rail network but also strengthen the broader economy of Texas.
Now, more than ever, we need both chambers of Congress to get onboard and support these much-needed reforms.
That’s why I’m urging the Texas congressional delegation to recognize the gravity of this situation and support the Freight Rail Shipping Fair Market Act. Together, they can help build a strong future for Texas that freight rail reform can help deliver.
Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Adrian Hernandez, a Pearland City Councilman. The column appears in The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service with the permission of the author. Hernandez can be reached by email via: ahernandez@pearlandtx.gov
