Group 1 - The merger proposal by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern fails to demonstrate that it would enhance competition or provide significant public benefits, not meeting the merger rules established in 2001 and by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) [1] - The proposed merger would reduce transportation options for customers, creating a single entity controlling over 40% of the freight rail market in the United States, which could lead to increased prices and harm consumers due to lack of competition [2] - CN will actively participate in the STB process and encourages all stakeholders to voice their opinions to enhance competition [3] Group 2 - CN plays a crucial role in the economy by safely transporting over 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured goods, and finished products across North America annually, utilizing a rail network of nearly 20,000 miles [4]

MONTREAL, Dec. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The application filed this morning by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern fails to demonstrate that the merger would enhance competition or generate significant public benefits that would require a merger. It falls well below both the 2001 and old merger rules set out by the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Protecting competition is not optional, it is essential to keep costs down and the economy sound. The fact is that this merger would reduce rail transportati ...

Core Viewpoint - Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have filed a joint application for an $85 billion merger, aiming to create the first modern transcontinental railroad in the U.S. [1] Group 1: Merger Details - The merger application is approximately 7,000 pages long and argues that the deal will enhance competition by simplifying and standardizing pricing for shipments between the two networks [1] - The merger is expected to transform "tens of thousands" of interline lanes into single-line services, converting over 2 million truckloads of traffic to rail annually [3] Group 2: Competitive Advantage - A single-line service from the merger would allow railroads to compete more effectively with long-haul trucking, improving service reliability compared to interline services [2] - The combined companies anticipate reducing an estimated 2,400 daily rail car and container handlings, saving approximately 60,000 car miles per day, which could eliminate delays [3] Group 3: Regulatory Process - The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has 30 days to decide on the acceptability of the filing, followed by a 45-day window for public comments and a 90-day window for responsive applications if accepted [3] - The full review process for the merger is expected to extend into 2027 [4] Group 4: Opposition and Concerns - The Teamsters Rail Conference, representing nearly 20,000 workers from both railroads, has voiced opposition, stating that executives have not made commitments to protect union jobs [5]

At least one rival railroad is doubling down on its opposition to the transcontinental merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern after the companies filed their former application with federal regulators Friday. “While we are still reviewing the [Surface Transportation Board] filing and will have more to say soon, what we have seen so far does not change BNSF’s opposition to the proposed merger,” said Chief Executive Katie Farmer, in a statement. “The transaction poses a significant threat to the U.S. ...

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern on Friday filed a nearly 7,000page merger application with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB), triggering a 30day period in which the regulator can seek m... ...

Summary of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger Conference Call Industry and Companies Involved - **Industry**: Rail Transportation - **Companies**: Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) and Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) Core Points and Arguments 1. **Merger Application Submission**: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted a comprehensive merger application to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) consisting of approximately 7,000 pages, highlighting the merger's potential benefits and compliance with STB requirements [3][4][5] 2. **Safety and Operational Excellence**: Both companies aim to lead the industry in safety, with Union Pacific expecting to end the year as the safest railroad and Norfolk Southern as the industry leader in mainline and community safety [4][6] 3. **Economic Impact**: The merger is positioned as a pivotal opportunity to enhance America's competitiveness, improve freight service, and create jobs, with the potential to remove over 2 million truckloads from highways, thereby reducing emissions and road congestion [5][6] 4. **Customer Benefits**: The merger will provide customers with faster, more reliable single-line service, reducing delays caused by handoffs and improving asset utilization. It is expected to transform 10,000 existing lanes from interline to single-line service [12][13][14] 5. **Volume Growth**: The combined network is projected to add approximately 900 new net union jobs and generate significant volume growth, with estimates of 1.4 million annual intermodal loads and 425,000 carloads of merchandise, bulk, and automotive products [6][16][18] 6. **Competitive Landscape**: The merger is expected to enhance competition within the rail industry and against trucking, with 75% of the freight converted to the combined railroad anticipated to come from highways [9][20] 7. **Environmental Benefits**: The merger is projected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with the potential to eliminate 2.7 million metric tons of CO2 annually, reinforcing rail as a more sustainable transportation option compared to trucking [40][41] 8. **Financial Projections**: The merger is expected to yield up to $2 billion in net revenue EBITDA synergies by the end of year three, with nearly $1 billion in cost-saving opportunities across various categories [42][43] Other Important but Potentially Overlooked Content 1. **Commitment to Jobs**: Every employee with a union job at the time of the merger will retain their position, with a commitment to add new jobs that offer an annual pay and benefit package of $160,000, which is approximately 40% above the national industrial average [6][7] 2. **Operational Changes**: The merger will streamline operations by reducing the number of handlings and improving routing efficiency, which is expected to result in nearly 900,000 fewer handlings and a reduction of approximately 22,000 car miles annually [27][31] 3. **Technology Integration**: Both companies have modernized their operating systems, which will facilitate a seamless integration post-merger, ensuring service stability and continuity for customers [32][33] 4. **Stakeholder Support**: The merger has garnered support from over 2,000 parties, including more than 500 shippers and 800 public officials, indicating a broad consensus on the merger's potential benefits [46][47] 5. **Phased Integration Plan**: The integration of the two companies will be executed in phases to ensure reliability and effectiveness, with a focus on maintaining a resource buffer to manage challenges [31][48] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call regarding the merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, emphasizing the anticipated benefits, competitive dynamics, and operational strategies.

Norfolk Southern President and CEO Mark George highlighted the complementary nature of the two networks, explaining that the combination would bring together Union Pacific’s expansive western reach and Norfolk Southern’s access to eastern manufacturing and population centers in an end-to-end combination. The result would be a unified rail system capable of bridging the gap between East and West, allowing freight to bypass congested interchanges and take the fastest and most efficient, price-competitive rout ...

Merger Benefits - The merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern aims to advance America's domestic manufacturing and economic growth[7] - The merger is projected to convert over 2 million annual truckloads from roads to rails[7] - Customers will benefit from a single network, faster routes, and single-line pricing[7] - Approximately 900 net new union jobs are expected to be created to handle volume growth[7] Operational Improvements - The integrated network will include six new premium intermodal lanes, with transit time savings of up to 20 hours on Southern California/Northeast lanes and up to 95 hours on Southern California/Southeast lanes[11] - The merger anticipates carload growth of 425,000 annual carloads in manifest, bulk, and auto, driven by single-line service in underserved markets[12] - The combined company plans a total of $2.1 billion in incremental integration capital to support growth and greater efficiency[16] - The merger expects to reduce 60,000 car-miles, 2,400 handlings, and 4,700 train-miles each day through optimized operating plans[15] Financial Synergies - The merger anticipates up to $2 billion in net revenue EBITDA synergies[20] - The merger anticipates approximately $1 billion in cost synergies[20] - The merger anticipates generating over $12 billion in annual free cash flow by Year 3[20]

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board requesting approval of their proposed merger. ...

Core Viewpoint - Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation are seeking approval from the Surface Transportation Board for a merger that aims to establish the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S. [1] Company Summary - The merger will combine the strengths of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, potentially enhancing operational efficiency and service offerings in the railroad industry [1]. Industry Summary - This merger represents a significant consolidation in the railroad sector, which may reshape the competitive landscape and improve logistics capabilities across the country [1].