(Monroe, LA) Mayor Friday Ellis is set to testify before the Surface Transportation Board about the City of Monroe’s perspective on the public benefits of the proposed merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern Railways.
The hearing begins Wednesday, September 28, 2022, and is expected to wrap up no later than Friday, September 30, 2022; it will be held at the board’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Mayor Ellis will attend virtually and is scheduled to speak Wednesday morning.
“The City of Monroe supports this merger because it will enhance the quality of life of our residents. It will also have a direct economic impact on smaller cities by allowing for easier connectivity to the workforce in larger metropolitan areas,” says Mayor Ellis.
He adds, “when talking about the economic vitality of a city, we must continuously seek new modes of transportation. Rail transportation is the natural progression for cities like Monroe to have a chance at significant economic growth and longevity. Municipalities must be an active partner with the rail industry in this merger by both ensuring and supporting surrounding infrastructure and we are committed to doing just that in the City of Monroe,” says Mayor Ellis.
The $27 billion merger has concerned some chemical manufactures and trade groups who want to impose rules for the merger and assurances that current service levels won't decline.
If you’re interested in viewing the hearing, you can watch on the Surface Transportation
Board’s YouTube page:
.
Hearings will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. EDT each day