Railroad Cost Recovery Procedures - Productivity Adjustment

FR: Surface Transportation Board

Published April 3rd, 2026

Detected April 4th, 2026

Summary

The Surface Transportation Board has presented its calculation for the average change in railroad productivity for the 2020-2024 period, proposing a productivity adjustment factor of 1.015 (1.5% per year) under Docket No. EP 290 (Sub-No. 4). The Board issued this decision on March 31, 2026, with an effective date of April 18, 2026. Comments on any perceived data or computational errors may be filed through April 15, 2026.

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What changed

The STB announced its proposed productivity adjustment factor of 1.015 (1.5% annually) for the 2020-2024 averaging period in Docket No. EP 290 (Sub-No. 4). This figure represents the geometric mean change in railroad productivity and is used in railroad cost recovery procedures under 49 U.S.C. 10708. The decision was served March 31, 2026, and will take effect April 18, 2026, unless a further order postpones the effective date.

Railroads and interested parties should review the Board's calculation for potential data or computational errors and file any comments by April 15, 2026, via e-filing on the STB website. The adjustment is a routine administrative calculation used in rate proceedings and does not impose new compliance obligations. There are no penalties associated with this notice.

What to do next

Review the STB's proposed productivity adjustment factor of 1.015 for the 2020-2024 period for data or computational errors
File comments addressing any perceived errors by April 15, 2026 via e-filing at www.stb.gov
Ensure comments are served on all parties appearing on the service list

Source document (simplified)

Notice

Railroad Cost Recovery Procedures-Productivity Adjustment

A Notice by the Surface Transportation Board on 04/03/2026

This document has a comment period that ends in 11 days.
(04/15/2026) View Comment Instructions
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Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-06555 (91 FR 17054) Document Headings ###### Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. EP 290 (Sub-No. 4)]

AGENCY:

Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION:

Presentation of the Board's calculation for the change in railroad productivity for the 2020-2024 averaging period.

SUMMARY:

In a decision served on March 31, 2026, the Board proposed to adopt 1.015 (1.5% per year) as the measure of average (geometric mean) change in railroad productivity for the 2020-2024 (five-year) period. The Board's March 31, 2026 decision stated that comments may be filed addressing any perceived data and computational errors in the Board's calculation. The decision also stated that, unless a further order is issued postponing the effective date, the decision will take effect on April 18, 2026.