Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith and Congressman Peter DeFazio say the company that owns the embargoed rail line between Eugene and Coos Bay has shirked its duties and urged federal regulators to increase their oversight of carriers.
The three testified before the Surface Transportation Board yesterday in Washington D.C.
So did Roseburg Forest Products President Allyn Ford, who also represents shippers along the line.
All complained about the problems that the shippers has faced since Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad abruptly closed the line last September.
The shutdown hurt businesses that had to scramble to find alternate means of getting their goods to market.
Senator Smith says the railroad has to 'step up and meet its responsibility or be held accountable by the STB'.
The railroad cited safety reasons in closing the line last fall.
It has offered to reopen the line only if the state provides a subsidy.
This morning, CORP’s parent company RailAmerica is giving its side of the story to the Surface Transportation Board.