March 26.. March 27.. March 28. April 3. April 8. April 27.... April 28... May 6.. May 14. May 27 June 3. June 5 June 6. June 12. Investigation instituted into adequacy of New Rail Services Planning Office issues final Rock Island Railroad permitted to file for terminal surcharge. Improved corporate disclosure regulations proposed. Incentive freight car per diem charge regulations modified. Provisions made for public comment on proposals for Rock Island Railroad service. Seven percent increase permitted for railroad rate on export coal traffic. Rail Services Planning Office issues evaluation of U.S. Railway Association's preliminary system plan. Household goods carriers cautioned against giving preferential treatment. Burden Study update issued. Four energy-related proposals submitted to Rail Services Planning Office announces pub- Acquisitions of rail properties of northeast carriers in reorganization authorized. Regular route circuitry deviation rule enlarged by five percent. Rails authorized five percent freight rate increase. Carriers ordered to provide wider public notice of proposals to increase rates or fares. Rulemaking proceeding instituted to adopt new freight rate increase procedures. Investigation of rate bureaus completed. June 23.. June 27. Incentive freight car per diem regulations extended to include food-carrying 'XF' cars. Rail Services Planning Office issues evaluaation of USRA's preliminary system plan supplemental report. PROTECTING THE CONSUMER Identifying the typical consumer is not easy. The consumer is the "man on the street" and the "homemaker”, as well as the merchant who sells them what they consume. The consumer is the distributor, the manufacturer, the farmer and even agri-business. The city, the port, the state, and geographical regions are consumers. The consumer is the receiver of transportation and the benefits of transportation that may not be visible but which determine physical and economic health. While it is difficult to categorize the typical consumer, the Commission has recognized there are certain types of consumers who need special assistance in obtaining the full protection of the Interstate Commerce Act that is their right: Those who cannot be expected to follow rapid changes occurring in rate structures. • Those who are confronted by new passenger fares. • Those who believe a service complaint is warranted but who are unfamiliar with procedural requirements. • Those whose limited resources cannot match the presentations that may be constructed by carriers and shippers regularly participating in Commission formal proceedings. The Commission has active programs to assist this type of consumer: • The Consumer Information Program, with its Consumer Bulletin and Consumer Hotline (Toll-free—area code 800, 424–9312). • Consumer Transportation Specialists at Washington, D.C., and field offices. • Operations assistance to aid consumers with problems involving household goods movements, passenger difficulties in train or bus travel, and settlement of loss and damage claims. Tariff monitoring of newly filed rates and fares of which consumers are probably unaware. • Assignment of Commission attorneys to proceedings in which full development of a proper record might not result because of lack of consumer representation. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Financial Oversight The Commission, through its Early Warning Branch, continually monitors the financial condition and prospects of regulated carriers. This financial oversight program includes the following functions: • Establishment of a data base for monitoring and forecasting of the financial condition of regulated carriers. • Identification of class I railroads and large motor carriers having financial difficulties or potential future difficulties; informing Congressional transportation Committees as to major problem areas, including the financial condition of large regulated carriers. • Analysis of quarterly and annual financial statements filed by class I railroads and large motor carriers and the study of causes of improvements or declines in revenues and earnings. • Public release of quarterly reports showing the earnings and traffic volume of large railroads, motor carriers of freight, motor carriers of passengers and household goods carriers. • Review and evaluation of data filed by class I railroads on deferred maintenance of road and equipment and delayed capital improvements of roadway and equipment. Rail Revenue Contribution Study The Commission released in April 1975 the third rail revenue contribution or burden study in response to the order in Ex Parte No. 270, Investigation of Railroad Freight Rate Structure. These studies show carloads, tons, average load per car, average haul, revenue, variable cost, contribution or deficit, and ratio of revenue to both variable and fully allocated cost. They are currently used to measure the relative revenue contribution of individual commodities or commodity groups on an annual basis as well as year-to-year shifts in contribution. Audits During Fiscal Year 1975, the following number of audits and/or special investigations of the activities of carriers or their agents were completed: |