Given what we've seen over the last six months, we have reason to be optimistic that the industry is moving in the right direction. The STB moratorium has provided an opportunity for railroads to explore alternatives to mergers to improve service and profitability. As a consequence, we're seeing more marketing-based agreements similar to the ones that KCS has entered into with Canadian National and Norfolk Southern. This is a positive development, and given the rise in railroad stock prices recently, it is obvious this is the route that investors and the financial community favor right now. Efficiency will be even more important in 2001 and beyond as our growth will depend on our ability to provide our customers with more consistent transportation services that are easier to access.
Consistent service starts with a safe operation, without the disruptions of injuries and accidents.
To build on our service successes, our field operations people are focusing their efforts more intensely executing transportation service plans based on customer expectations. Our field operations organization along with our service design group work together to change those plans, as needed, to improve service consistency. In addition, more consistent service requires BNSF to maintain or replace equipment and upgrade facilities near the end of their useful lives, but before failures can affect service. Over the past year, we have developed a set of reliability expectations for each of our suppliers. As BNSF service becomes more reliable, we will be able to offer additional service guarantees like those available on six major BNSF intermodal lanes and our service assurance program for carload customers on the I-5 Corridor.