Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 96 Part 2.djvu/1067

 PUBLIC LAW 97-449—JAN. 12, 1983

96 STAT. 2429

improvement, and revitalization projects) the Center requests in carrying out this section. § 333. Responsibility for rail transportation unification and coordination projects (a) The Secretary of Transportation may develop and make available to interested persons any plans, proposals, and recommendations for mergers, consolidations, reorganizations, and other unification or coordination projects for rail transportation (including arrangements for joint use of tracks and other facilities and acquisition or sale of assets) that the Secretary believes will result in a rail system that is more efficient and consistent with the public interest. (b) To achieve a more efficient, economical, and viable rail system in the private sector, the Secretary, when requested by a rail carrier and under this section, may assist in planning, negotiating, and carrying out a unification or coordination of operations and facilities of at least 2 rail carriers. (c)(1) The Secretary may conduct studies to determine the potential cost savings and possible improvements in the quality of rail transportation that are likely to result from unification or coordination of at least 2 rail carriers, through— (A) elimination of duplicating or overlapping operations and facilities; (B) reducing switching operations; (C) using the shortest or more efficient and economical routes; (D) exchanging trackage rights; (E) combining trackage and terminal or other facilities; (F) upgrading tracks and other facilities used by at least 2 rail carriers; (G) reducing administrative and other expenses; and (H) other measures likely to reduce costs and improve rail transportation. (2) When the Secretary requests information for a study under this section, a rail carrier shall provide the information requested. In carrying out this section, the Secretary may designate an officer or employee to get from a rail carrier information on the kind, quality, origin, destination, consignor, consignee, and routing of property. This information may be obtained without the consent of the consignor or consignee notwithstanding section 11910(a)(l) of this title. When appropriate, the designated officer or employee has the powers described in section 203(c) of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to carry out this section, but a subpena must be issued under the signature of the Secretary. (d)(1) When requested by a rail carrier, the Secretary may hold conferences on and mediate disputes resulting from a proposed unification or coordination project. The Secretary may invite to a conference— (A) officers and directors of an affected rail carrier; (B) representatives of rail carrier employees who may be affected; (C) representatives of the Interstate Commerce Commission; (D) State and local government officials, shippers, and consumer representatives; and (E) representatives of the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General. (2) A person attending or represented at a conference on a proposed unification or coordination project is not liable under the

49 USC 333.

Study.

49 USC 11910. 45 USC 713. Conferences}.

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