There are four active rail customers in Watsonville employing over 500 county residents. The RTC was supposed to vote on an agreement with Progressive Rail back in February and Progressive Rail was supposed to become the new common carrier by April, but aggressive lobbying by Greenway and Trail Now spreading lies about Progressive Rail has delayed the vote until next week. Gail McNulty from Greenway has stated publically in the Goodtimes that the ends justify the means.

Big Creek Lumber has already suffered significant financial losses due to the delay created by Greenway and Trail Now. Now the shippers of refrigerated and frozen goods are at risk because this is when they start shipping by rail to customers out of state. Based on information published in the RTC agenda for June 14, 2018, the current rail operator is no longer able to act as common carrier and it is anticipated they will cease operation any day.

There is urgency to approve an agreement with Progressive Rail this week, but Greenway and Trail now keep spreading the lie that there is no need to rush. They are obviously hoping for a complete collapse of rail service on the RTC branch line to further their agenda. For Big Creek Lumber it has turned into an emergency and it is believed they will turn to the Surface Transportation Board this week for relief.