Shippers Respond to Commission Report; Raise Concern over Fees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2008

Contact: Ezra Finkin
202-861-0825

Washington, DC - The Waterfront Coalition applauded the release of the Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission report, Transportation for Tomorrow.

"The inclusion of freight is a huge step in the right direction in improving transportation infrastructure around the country that moves the nation's commerce," said Robin Lanier, Executive Director of the Waterfront Coalition. "For far too long national transportation priorities have left the need to move the nation's commerce by the wayside. This has contributed to a near-crisis condition for many businesses relying on the freight transportation network. We are pleased that this report recommends that the movement of goods should remain a top priority for Congress."

Transportation for Tomorrow calls for the creation of a National Freight Program that places the need to improve goods movement infrastructure with mass transit and commuter needs. The report also calls for the creation of an independent ten-member Commission to forward recommendations to Congress regarding the funding of specific high-priority projects that promote the movement of commerce. The Commission report also recommends tax credits to investors in freight rail infrastructure to improve freight rail mobility.

"While we support the concept of a National Freight Program and the efforts the Commission has taken to promote freight mobility, we are concerned with some of its funding proposals," stated Lanier. Transportation for Tomorrow recommends that a portion of the National Freight Program to be funded through user fees levied on cargo interests. The report specifically proposes fees on shipping containers and a portion of Customs duties to be set aside to pay for infrastructure projects that promote the movement of both international and domestic freight. "Cargo owners moving freight by way of a container and those paying Customs duties are only one segment of the entire freight community. A true user fee must capture all users of freight infrastructure not just a select few, "stated Lanier.

The Waterfront Coalition endorses the concept of dedicated user fees to help fund high-priority projects designed to reduce congestion and emissions while lowering freight costs for shippers and prices paid by customers. "We endorse dedicated user fees and we stand ready to work with Congress on a proposal that captures all freight users", stated Lanier.

Contact: Ezra Finkin (202) 861-0825 ext.203

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The Waterfront Coalition is a group of concerned business interests representing shippers (importers and exporters), transportation providers, and others in the transportation supply chain committed to educating policy makers and the public about the economic importance of U.S. ports and foreign trade, and to promote the most efficient and technologically advanced ports for the twenty-first century.