Okay, this may be a dumb idea, but I think it is very important to rail roading in general. Is there a particular political party that is more beneficial to the railroad industry? Given that the AAR just reproted that carloadings are up again this year because of a relatively good economy and their are elections coming up, is there a chance that things would be better if the elections went one way or the other? Let’s not tick off Bergie. Try to keep things civil! We are not going to change minds, just discuss ideas…
I doubt it would be one particular party or another. Maybe lobby whoever might be on whatever committee in congress that deals with railroads or transportation in general.
Are you talking about from a pure business standpoint or from a lobbying standpoint?
The economy is doing very well right now, in spite of what you may read in the mainstream press. And when the economy does well, railroads do well.
Old Timer
…Overall the economy is doing well now but of course it’s got it’s problems…Jobs going overseas so fast it will make one’s head spin and that is producing many “pockets” of problems. If this continues there will be a day of reckoning
Of course railroads will do better when economic activity is up and that can happen with either party. Recessions happen with either side of the aisle in power.
I am talking from a purely business standpoint. I think it can be debated as to wether lobbying benefits the railroads consistently. Good business and good economies consistently benefit railroads.
IMHO, our economy has been permantly changed, as mentioned above. If the “Dems” do win the presidential race, I doubt it’s going to make much difference as far as the railroading industry. The only thing that would likey make a major impact, God forbid, would be a major terrorist attack.
Anyway, Interesting facet of this is that if the economy happens to slow down due to political changes, it would be a long while before the Class 1 railroads were affected.
Recently UP and CSX were experiencing “back logs” in service because there’s not enough crews to handle the enormous volume of freight on rails. Rail yards were also being “choked”, with yardmasters having to become really creative in ways to handle the overflow. Customers are still getting shipments late.
In essence, though it may have seemed to have been “wise planning” years back, it appears from a business standpoint that “Single tracking” heavily traveled mainlines and the closing railroad yards in strategic locations is smacking railroad managers in the face today.
UP and BNSF have doubled and triple tracked very busy single track lines, but at an incredibly high cost…especially when considering that some of those lines were originally multiple track.
Taxing authorities insist on taxing railroads for every mile of track that they own instead of the “route” which seems to make much more sense. This would also help in further develping commuter and long distance rail, which is what the “Dems” claim to support.
I strongly feel the Railroads shouldn’t have to pay Taxes.
Okay, I can’t let that one fly by without wondering why you feel that way.
Why shouldn’t railroads have to pay taxes?
Why is that?
I strongly feel I shouldn’t have to pay taxes, but I still have to.
Part of the thinking regarding railroads and taxes is that trucks and buses pay taxes on fuel, (nickels on the dollar) which helps to maintain highways.
Railroads have to pay fuel taxes as well, but then must also maintain every mile of track they own. Trucks and buses are “basically” exempt from this.
I think that railroads should pay taxes on their business, just like everyone else. However, buses and trucks in no way are taxed in proportion to the amount of wear and tear they put on roads and freeway systems every year. To me, if they are responsible for 80 percent of the wear and tear on a road, their taxes should be reflective of that. If the government gives the railroads a basic tax exempt status they are going to be the target of all kinds of gold diggers and lawyers. Not only that I don’t think it would be very good PR to have a tax exempt status as a for-profit organization. If the tax rules were relaxed in this instance for railroads, I can only imagine what other groups will try to justify their attempts to acheive tax exempt status.