AOK Railroad Dodges 60-Day Notices to Extend BNSF Line Lease
Published Date: 9/10/2025
Notice
Summary
Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad (AOK) is extending its lease to keep running trains on a 10.7-mile rail line in Shawnee, Oklahoma, that it’s been operating since 2021. They’ve promised to keep working smoothly with BNSF Railway and are asking to skip the usual 60-day labor notice before this extension kicks in. This move keeps things rolling without big changes to costs or service.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Waiver of 60‑Day Labor Notice
If you work on the Shawnee, Oklahoma rail line, Arkansas‑Oklahoma Railroad (AOK) has asked the Surface Transportation Board to waive the normal 60‑day advance labor notice required by 49 CFR 1150.42(e). AOK says its current annual revenues exceed $5,000,000 (which triggers the notice requirement) and has filed the waiver request; petitions to stay must be filed by September 17, 2025, and the Board will set the exemption's effective date when it rules on the waiver.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11901 — 60-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval of Collection: Recordations (Rail and Water Carrier Liens), Water Carrier Tariffs, and Agricultural Contract Summaries
The Surface Transportation Board wants to keep collecting info about rail and water carrier liens, water carrier tariffs, and agricultural contract summaries—just like they’ve been doing, with no changes. This affects big railroads and water carriers who file these records, and they’re asking for your thoughts by August 11, 2026. No new fees or extra paperwork, just a smooth extension to keep things running.
2026-11831 — Kean Burenga and Chesapeake and Delaware, LLC-Continuance in Control Exemption-Delaware and South Branch Railroad, LLC
Kean Burenga and Chesapeake and Delaware, LLC are keeping control of Delaware and South Branch Railroad as it becomes a new Class III rail carrier in New Jersey. This move lets DSBR lease and operate nearly 32 miles of rail lines from two other local railroads, starting soon. No big money changes are expected, but it’s a smart shuffle to keep things running smoothly in the region’s rail network.
2026-11832 — Reliant Transportation Group, LLC, TIP MNC Acquisition, LLC, TIP MN Investments LP, and Tiger Infrastructure Partners Fund IV AIV LP-Acquisition of Control-Southwest Coaches, Inc. and Minnesota Motor Bus, Inc.
Reliant Transportation Group and its partners want to take control of two bus companies, Southwest Coaches and Minnesota Motor Bus, by buying them from the current owners. The government is giving a thumbs-up to this deal unless someone objects by July 27, 2026. If all goes well, the change will happen quickly, but no money details were shared yet.
2026-11833 — Delaware and South Branch Railroad, LLC-Lease and Change of Operator Exemption-Black River & Western Corp. d/b/a Black River & Western Railroad, and Belvidere & Delaware River Railway Company, Inc.
Delaware and South Branch Railroad, LLC (DSBR) is taking over the lease and operation of about 32 miles of rail lines from Black River & Western Railroad and Belvidere & Delaware River Railway. This means DSBR will replace BDR as the operator on a key segment, starting on or after June 28, 2026. The change won’t cost more than $5 million in revenue and won’t limit future rail connections.
2026-11659 — R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Cleveland Line-Lease and Operation Exemption With Interchange Commitment-CSX Transportation, Inc.
R.J. Corman Railroad Company is renewing its lease to run trains on a 15-mile track in Ohio, from Uhrichsville to Dover, that it leases from CSX Transportation. They’ve updated their agreement to keep things rolling smoothly, including a promise to interchange freight with CSX. This deal won’t bring in more than $5 million a year, so it’s a steady, local move with no big money shake-ups.
2026-11395 — 2025 Tax Information for Use in the Revenue Shortfall Allocation Method
The Surface Transportation Board is sharing the 2025 state tax rates for big railroads to help figure out fair shipping prices. These updated tax numbers affect Class I railroads and will be used to check if their rates are reasonable. If you’re involved with rail shipping, keep an eye out—these changes could impact costs starting in 2025.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-17386 — Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got new filings about natural gas pipeline rates and refunds from Equitrans and MarkWest Pioneer. These filings could change how much customers pay starting October 1, 2025. If you want to speak up or get involved, you have until September 17, 2025, to file your comments or protests.
Next: 2025-17390 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Revision of H-2A Temporary Agricultural Labor Certification Program
The Department of Labor wants to change the forms and rules for hiring temporary farm workers under the H-2A program. They’re rolling back some recent updates from 2024 but keeping a few improvements from earlier rules. This affects farmers and workers, aims to cut down paperwork, and invites public comments before final decisions.