The US has no high-speed lines and few passengers board the train, but the country has an extremely extensive network of freight trains that carry everything from the smallest boxes to cars and heavy equipment. A strike that could paralyze the US economy worth $2 billion a day is likely to begin on Friday. The consequences will also be felt abroad.
The US has some of the longest and heaviest freight trains in the world, and unlike Europe, passenger trains run ahead of freight trains. Freight trains take priority, and the network is controlled by giant companies like BNSF, Union Pacific and CSX, the largest of which have operating revenues of more than $20 billion a year.
There are large areas where even heavy trains can develop 100-120 km/h.
Railroads are important to the U.S. economy: for example, trains bring crude oil from Canada and then carry gasoline and diesel fuel to Mexico. Trains also carry various products to ports, which are then shipped by sea to many parts of the world.
40% of long-distance freight is transported by rail, and rail also plays a role in transporting more than 30% of exports.
Well, there is a good chance that the biggest railroad strike in the US will break out on Friday, and it could be a longer strike than the one 30 years ago that lasted only a few days. Even the president’s administration is looking for a solution to stop the strike. Unions have rejected the proposals, but intense negotiations will continue on Thursday.
Railroad workers are demanding not only more money, but also more flexibility in sick leave and working hours.
In the United States, freight trains carry a wide variety of products, from the smallest items sold in a supermarket to huge parts used in heavy industry. In the US, rail transport is well connected to sea and road transport, so if the railway is down for a few days, products no longer get from point A to point B.
A serious problem for companies that have something to transport is that if the trains stop running, they will not be able to quickly find other solutions. In the last 2-3 years, the shortage of truck drivers has increased in the USA, requiring several hundred thousand people. This shortage is aggravated by the railway workers’ strike.
Despite the critical role of the rail freight sector in the US economy, many experts consider this sector to be a weak link because it cannot respond quickly when transport needs suddenly increase, and therefore has a low degree of adaptation. This caused massive traffic jams, especially in Southern California.
Sources: New York Times, Washington Post
Photo source: Dreamstime.com
Source: Hot News RO
Anna White is a journalist at 247 News Reel, where she writes on world news and current events. She is known for her insightful analysis and compelling storytelling. Anna’s articles have been widely read and shared, earning her a reputation as a talented and respected journalist. She delivers in-depth and accurate understanding of the world’s most pressing issues.