The Great Concentration: Why Rail Competition Matters Now

Dear BNSF Customers,

At the recent Southeast Association of Rail Shippers conference, I shared my perspective on an important moment for freight rail. Demand is building, and the rail network is ready. Competition helped get us here. The proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger would eliminate two of today’s four transcontinental options and puts competition, and your choices, at risk. Because many of you couldn’t join us in Norfolk, I want to share my perspective and a new white paper, Built for the Moment.

Union Pacific calls the merger the next “Great Connection.” But this country was connected in 1869. What this merger would really do is put about half of U.S. rail shipments under one railroad. That isn't a “Great Connection.” It's a Great Concentration.

Nothing is decided, and the Surface Transportation Board wants to hear from individual customers like you. Step-by-step guidance on how to share your perspective is available at BNSF.com/PreserveRailCompetition. If you’d like help, please reach out to me or your marketing representative.

Thank you for your continued partnership. The choices you have today helped build a network that’s ready for what’s next. We believe those choices are worth preserving.

Sincerely,

Tom G. Williams
Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer