COMBINED TRUCK/RAIL TRANSPORTATION SERVICE: ACTION NEEDED TO ENHANCE EFFECTIVENESS

Piggyback--the transportation of truck trailers and containers on rail flatcars, offers in principle increased efficiency at a time when saving energy is of increasing importance to the Nation. Some shippers who use trucks would use piggyback more if there were better rates, speedier service, and easier handling of loss and damage claims. Interstate Commerce Commission officials believe that railroads generally do not promote piggyback because it may compete with their boxcar service--boxcars with their 40-year lifespan, represent a substantial capital investment. The report discusses how, within its statuatory authority, ICC can encourage piggyback growth.

• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. General Accounting Office

  441 G Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20548
• Publication Date: 1977-12-2

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Photos;
• Pagination: 37 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Container on flat car; Containerization; Deregulation; Intermodal transportation; Marketing; Motor carriers; Piggyback transportation; Regulations; Trailer on flat car
• Identifier Terms: U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission
• Old TRIS Terms: Government regulations
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Law; Motor Carriers; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00170087
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: U.S. General Accounting Office
• Report/Paper Numbers: B-139052 Cong Rpt., CED-78-3
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 2003 12:00AM