Alabama’s economy depends on systems that work reliably and competitively. From manufacturing plants and agricultural producers to exporters and small businesses like Ransom Recycling, the state’s ability to move goods efficiently is central to growth, job creation, and long-term stability.
The proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern rail merger has put that reality into sharper focus. For a merger of this scale, how the review is conducted matters just as much as the outcome. The Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) deliberate approach deserves recognition.
Rather than rushing a decision on a transaction of historic scale, the STB has taken the time necessary to fully examine the proposal, request additional information, and ensure applicants meet the high burden required under federal law.
That measured process reflects an understanding of what is at stake not just for railroads, but for the businesses, workers, and communities that depend on a competitive freight rail system.
Across the country, the effects of rail policy decisions are felt quickly and locally. When rail service becomes less predictable or more constrained, businesses have fewer ways to adapt, especially those that depend on tight delivery windows or operate with limited transportation alternatives.
For many shippers, even small disruptions can translate into delayed production, missed opportunities, and higher costs that are difficult to absorb or pass along.
The proposed merger would consolidate significant market power into fewer hands, raising legitimate questions about how service levels, pricing, and network resilience would be affected. Those questions deserve careful answers, supported by evidence, not assumptions.
That is precisely why the Board’s insistence on a thorough, fact-based review is so important. Under its Major Merger Rules, the STB is required to do more than ensure a deal does no harm. Applicants must demonstrate that a merger would enhance competition, improve safety, and serve the broader public interest.
That is a high bar by design, and it exists to protect the economy that depends on these critical networks.
Past rail consolidations offer clear lessons. In several cases, promised efficiencies were followed by service disruptions and challenges for shippers left with fewer options. Those experiences underscore the importance of taking the time to fully understand how a merger of this magnitude would function in practice.
In states like Alabama, where freight rail supports a wide range of industries across both urban and rural communities, the consequences of reduced competition would be felt broadly.
The Board’s decision to proceed carefully sends the right signal. It reassures shippers and workers that their concerns are being taken seriously, and it reinforces the principle that competition and reliability are not optional features of a healthy freight rail system. A process that demands transparency and accountability is essential to maintaining trust in the regulatory framework itself.
As the review continues, the STB should be encouraged to stay the course. Holding applicants to the highest possible standard is not an obstacle to progress, it is how progress is protected. A resilient supply chain, a competitive rail network, and an economy that works for producers and consumers alike all depend on that discipline.
For Alabama, and for the nation, a thoughtful review is not just appropriate. It is essential.
Matt Armbruster is the President and Founder of Ransom Recycling in Mobile, Alabama
