# 2026-00241: Railroads Ditch Old Rules: STB Pushes Fairer Competition Ahead 2026-00241, Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Competition: Review of Part 1144, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Surface Transportation Board published 2026-01-09, effective 2026-03-10 (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00241 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-00241 - Title: Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Competition: Review of Part 1144 - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Surface Transportation Board - Citation: 91 FR 945 - Published: 2026-01-09 - Effective: 2026-03-10 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line Railroads Ditch Old Rules: STB Pushes Fairer Competition Ahead ## Summary The Surface Transportation Board wants to scrap old rules that limit how rail companies compete with each other. This change lets the Board decide on special rail deals case-by-case, making competition fairer and more flexible. Rail companies and shippers should watch for comments due by March 10, 2026, with no immediate cost changes expected. ## Abstract The Surface Transportation Board proposes to repeal its regulations on "Intramodal Rail Competition," which implement the agency's statutory authority to prescribe reciprocal switching agreements, through routes, and through rates. The approach set out in the regulations, which narrows the Board's statutory discretion, may no longer be appropriate on an industrywide basis, and its repeal would allow the Board to consider the prescription of through routes, through rates, and reciprocal switching agreements on a case-by-case basis under the applicable statutory standards. ## Effects PRIA read - Repeal of Part 1144 Restores Board Discretion: benefit, medium. The Surface Transportation Board proposes to repeal 49 CFR part 1144 and, instead, consider prescriptions of through routes, through rates, and reciprocal switching on a case-by-case basis under 49 U.S.C. 10705 and 11102(c). Comments on the proposed repeal are due by March 10, 2026, with reply comm… - Anticompetitive Conduct Test Removed: benefit, medium. The Board proposes to eliminate part 1144's requirement that petitioners show 'anticompetitive conduct' as a prerequisite for prescribing reciprocal switching or through routes. The Board states that the anticompetitive-conduct standard has operated as a high barrier to relief for shippers. - Standing/Use Thresholds May Be Eliminated: benefit, medium. The Board proposes to remove part 1144's requirement that petitioners show they have used or would use a through route or reciprocal switch for a 'significant portion' of their transportation needs. The Board expresses concern that the standing/use requirement could lock out small businesses from s… - Limits on Product/Geographic Evidence Lifted: benefit, low. The Board proposes to drop part 1144's restrictions that limited consideration of product and geographic competition in prescription proceedings. The Board says it anticipates generally excluding such evidence in rate proceedings but that parties could present it in individual adjudications if time… - Case-by-Case Adjudication Instead of Rule: mixed, medium. If part 1144 is repealed, the Board would decide requests for reciprocal switching, through routes, and through rates on a case-by-case basis under 49 U.S.C. 10705(b) and 11102(c), allowing the Board to weigh factors like carrier revenue needs, operational feasibility, and current rail operations i… ## Related documents - [2026-20783](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20783): First Student, Inc.-Acquisition of Control-Autumn Transportation Inc. and Ambassador Wheelchair Services, Inc., 2026-10-09 - [2026-20455](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20455): 60-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval: Petitions for Declaratory Order and Petitions for Relief Not Otherwise Specified, 2026-10-06 - [2026-20456](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20456): 60-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval: Classification Index Survey Form, 2026-10-06 - [2026-20205](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20205): Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V GP, LLC, et al.-Control Exemption-Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad Company, 2026-10-02 - [2026-20206](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20206): Union Pacific Railroad Company-Discontinuance of Service Exemption-in San Bernardino County, Cal., 2026-10-02 - [2026-19711](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19711): CSX Transportation, Inc.-Abandonment Exemption-in Hamilton County, Ohio, 2026-09-28 ## Sources - [2026-00241 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/09/2026-00241/eliminating-regulatory-barriers-to-competition-review-of-part-1144) - [2026-00241 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-09/pdf/2026-00241.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-00215, Clean Air Act Title V Operating Permit Program Revision; District of Columbia](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00215) - [Next: 2026-00247, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00247) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00241 (as of 2026-06-11).