GATINEAU, QC, May 31, 2018 /CNW/ - As part of its Regulatory Modernization Initiative, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) is launching consultations on rail-related regulations and guidance materials. These consultations will support the implementation of the Transportation Modernization Act (Bill C-49), which amends the Canada Transportation Act (Act) to introduce new measures related to freight rail.
The CTA invites affected stakeholders to share their views to ensure that the CTA's rail-related regulations and guidance materials are relevant, clear and up to date. Please visit our website for more information about the rail consultations which end on September 30, 2018. We invite you to submit comments to [email protected].
A discussion paper is available that explains many of the regulations and guidance materials under review.
Specific areas where regulatory updates and related guidance material may be beneficial include:
- Amending the Railway Interswitching Regulations, in order to smoothly implement provisions of the amended Act, including the new Long-Haul Interswitching remedy;
- Designating rail-related provisions, and CTA Orders, as subject to Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) – including new and enhanced shipper remedies under the amended Act;
- Clarifying insurance filing requirements for freight rail operations; and,
- Updating insurance coverage requirements for passenger rail operations.
- The CTA has identified the following areas for potential update to its guidance materials:
- Shipper remedies, including level of service complaints, final offer arbitration, and arbitration on level of services; and,
- Recovery of costs related to a railway fire.
New confidential toll-free Rail Help Line
The CTA has also launched a new confidential toll-free Rail Help Line to provide information, guidance and dispute resolution services on the rail-related provisions of the Act.
Shippers, communities, members of the public, and railway companies will have immediate access to a rail analyst if they have questions on railway operations, railway infrastructure, shipper and community rights, or dispute resolution.
New Rail Help Line - 1-877-850-7148
For more information about the CTA Rail Help Line, visit our website.
Don't forget to check out our promotional video and feel free to share!
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"Rail transportation has been a foundation of Canadians' economic and social well-being since our first railway was constructed in the 1830s. The modernization of rail-related regulations and guidelines will help keep that foundation strong as we move towards the third decade of the 21st century. The CTA wants to hear from railway companies, shippers, rail passengers, and other interested parties as we work to bring those regulations and guidelines into line with current and emerging business models, user expectations, and best practices in the regulatory field."
- Scott Streiner, Chair and CEO of the Canadian Transportation Agency
About the CTA
The Canadian Transportation Agency is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal and regulator that has, with respect to all matters necessary for the exercise of its jurisdiction, all the powers of a superior court. The CTA has three core mandates: helping to keep the national transportation system running efficiently and smoothly, protecting the fundamental right of persons with disabilities to accessible transportation services, and providing consumer protection for air passengers. To help advance these mandates, the CTA makes and enforces ground rules that establish the rights and responsibilities of transportation service providers and users and level the playing field among competitors, resolves disputes using a range of tools from facilitation and mediation to arbitration and adjudication, and ensures that transportation providers and users are aware of their rights and responsibilities and how the CTA can help them.
SOURCE Canadian Transportation Agency
Media Relations, Canadian Transportation Agency, [email protected], 819-934-3448
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