An official website of the United States government
An official website of the United States government
Notice: The STB will perform planned website maintenance Friday, November 22, 2024, from 5:00 PM EDT to 5:30 PM EDT. As a result, the STB website, including e-filing, filings, decisions, recordations and related advanced search may be intermittently unavailable during the maintenance window.
The Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC) is an advisory committee that was statutorily created by the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995. RSTAC advises the Board, the Secretary of Transportation, and Congress on railroad-transportation policy issues of particular importance to small shippers and small railroads, such as rail-car supply, rates, and competitive matters. Its 15 appointed members consist of senior officials representing large and small shippers, large and small railroads, and one at-large representative. The Secretary of Transportation and the Board Members are ex-officio members. RSTAC holds meetings quarterly. Unlike many other Federal agency advisory committees, RSTAC is not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), so its meetings are not public. Click here for more information on RSTAC, including a list of current members.
The Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC) provides advice and guidance regarding the transportation by rail of energy resources such as coal, ethanol, and other biofuels. RETAC is composed of 25 voting members representing a balance of stakeholders, including large and small railroads, coal producers, electric utilities, the biofuels industry, the private railcar industry, the domestic petroleum industry, and rail labor. The Board Members are ex-officio members. RETAC meetings are held at least twice a year and, in accordance with FACA, are open to the public. Click here for more information on RETAC, including a list of current members.
The National Grain Car Council (NGCC) assists the Board in addressing problems concerning grain transportation by fostering communication among railroads, shippers, rail-car manufacturers and lessors, and government. The NGCC consists of 14 representatives from Class I (large) railroads, seven representatives from Class II (medium-sized) and Class III (small) railroads, 14 representatives of grain shippers and receivers, and five representatives of private rail car owners and manufacturers. The Board Members are ex-officio members, and the Board Vice Chairman is designated NGCC Co-Chairman. Meetings are held annually and, in accordance with FACA, are open to the public. Click here for more information on NGCC, including a list of current members.
The Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC) provides information, advice, and recommendations to the Board on issues impacting the development and operation of railroad passenger services. The Committee’s meetings will be open to the public. The PRAC consists of approximately 18 voting members knowledgeable in passenger rail transportation, freight rail transportation, commuter rail operations, and transportation public policy. Click here for more information on the PRAC.
