Opinion ID: 421082
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Specific Provisions Governing Railroad Mergers

Text: 12 Interstate Commerce Act, 49 U.S.C. § 11,343(a), requires the ICC to review all railroad mergers. 2 The ICC must approve any merger that is consistent with the public interest, but can impose conditions on the merger when needed to advance the public interest: 13 The Commission shall approve and authorize a [merger] when it finds the transaction is consistent with the public interest. The Commission may impose conditions governing the transaction. 14 [229 U.S.App.D.C. 23] Id. § 11,344(c). 3 In making the public interest determination for a proposed merger of two class I railroads, 4 the ICC must consider five specific (but not exclusive) factors: 15 (A) the effect of the proposed transaction on the adequacy of transportation to the public. 16 (B) the effect on the public interest of including, or failing to include, other rail carriers in the area involved in the proposed transaction. 17 (C) the total fixed charges that result from the proposed transaction. 18 (D) the interest of carrier employees affected by the proposed transaction. 19 (E) whether the proposed transaction would have an adverse effect on competition among rail carriers in the affected region. 20 Id. § 11,344(b)(1).