We believe meaningful competition among rail service providers would help alleviate this problem. I spend a great deal of time here discussing price because numbers are available that can help describe the problem. Service difficulties are more difficult to quantify and assign numbers to. Overtime costs elevator operators must incur when a railroad drops off cars late and insist on picking them up loaded the next day, missing connection points with customers, and trains sometimes lost for days in switching yards all have costs that are borne by shippers and ultimately by farmers. There are key reforms needed to ensure meaningful rail competition.
Competition is of paramount importance.
I other than the one that sold the track that now forms the shortline's infrastructure as a condition of that sale. These contractual barriers can take other forms as well. Thank you for your time and attention. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.