|
|
|
|
|
|
30 June 2004
CPR and NSR Move to
Improve Performance of Northeastern Rail Network
Calgary - Canadian
Pacific Railway (CPR) and Norfolk Southern Railway (NSR) today signed a memorandum of understanding
for an exchange of trackage rights, freight haulage and yard services that will increase operational
efficiency and enhance rail service to customers.
CPR (TSX/NYSE: CP) announced in June 2003 it was restructuring its northeastern U.S. operations and
was seeking proposals for ways to increase freight volumes, reduce operating costs and improve
earnings. CPR's northeastern U.S. network is operated as the Delaware and Hudson Railway.
"This agreement with NSR opens up new opportunity to move our northeastern U.S. franchise into
a position of profitability," Rob Ritchie, President and Chief Executive Officer of CPR, said.
"We expect the changes will generate higher traffic volumes and revenues, greater productivity
and lower operating costs."
David R. Goode, Norfolk Southern Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "This is
an excellent example of railroads cooperating to better serve our customers. We will be able to
jointly provide transportation solutions that will improve efficiency and quality of service for both
carriers in the northeast U.S."
Under the agreement, CPR and NSR will consolidate freight marshalling at yards in Buffalo and
Binghamton, N.Y.:
CPR will cease yard operations in Buffalo, shifting all freight marshalling to the NSR yard there.
Similarly, NSR will shift its yard operations in Binghamton to CPR's East Binghamton yard.
There are three major components to the new trackage rights and freight haulage arrangements between
CPR and NSR:
- CPR will be able to move NSR freight traffic between Rouses Point and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.,
under a haulage arrangement. NSR will operate its own trains over CPR's line between Saratoga
Springs and Binghamton, N.Y., under a trackage rights arrangement. The arrangements will generate
higher revenue for CPR and provide NSR with a substantially shorter route to Quebec and the Maritime
provinces;
- CPR's freight traffic between Binghamton and Buffalo, N.Y., will move in NSR trains under a
haulage arrangement, replacing a trackage rights agreement under which CPR operated its own trains
between the two cities. The arrangement will reduce CPR's operating costs and generate additional
revenue for NSR;
- CPR will operate over a new NSR route using existing rail lines between Detroit and Chicago
under a trackage rights agreement. It will be the shortest rail route between the two cities and will
provide CPR with a faster, lower-cost lane.
"CPR's challenge remains to take this part of our network to a level of profitability that will
make it self-sustaining," Mr. Ritchie said. "We are prepared to examine
additional measures that, in concert with our NSR agreement, will further optimize our assets and
drive up profitability."
New trackage rights arrangements and the discontinuance of trackage rights require approval of the
U.S. Surface Transportation Board.
Mr. Ritchie will hold a conference call with analysts and reporters today at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time
to discuss details of the agreement with NSR. The telephone numbers for the call are
1-800-814-4857 or 416-640-1907. Callers should dial in 10 minutes prior to
the call. A telephone replay of the call will be available through 7 Jul 2004 at
1-877-289-8525 or 416-640-1917, pass code 21056014 followed by the pound
key. The call will also be webcast live on CPR's website. To access the webcast, click on Investor
Information and choose Investor Presentations. The webcast will be archived.
Canadian Pacific Railway is a transcontinental carrier operating in Canada and the U.S. Its
14,000-mile rail network serves the principal centres of Canada, from Montreal to
Vancouver, and the U.S. Northeast and Midwest regions. CPR feeds directly into America's heartland
from the East and West coasts. Alliances with other carriers extend its market reach throughout the
U.S. and into Mexico. Canadian Pacific Logistics Solutions provides logistics and supply chain
expertise worldwide. For more information, visit CPR's website at www.cpr.ca.
Norfolk Southern Railway operates 21,500 routes miles in 22 states, the District of Columbia and
Ontario, serving every major container port in the eastern United States and providing superior
connections to western rail carriers. NSR operates the most extensive intermodal network in the
East and is the nation's largest rail carrier of automotive parts and finished vehicles. For more
information, visit NSR's website at www.nscorp.com.
|
|
|