Subject: Why is AAR’s CEO Bullish? – The Signal – 2/7

AAR CEO Ian Jefferies recently outlined the five things you need to know about freight rail, including that service is improving. Jefferies expanded on these points in a new podcast from FTR Insights, where he talks about the economy’s effect on railroads, the regulatory landscape and expresses optimism about the outlook for the balance of 2023 for carriers.

Just a Reminder

At 9:00 pm EST, President Joe Biden will give his 2023 State of the Union address, where he is expected to discuss America’s infrastructure and other policy priorities. You can watch it live here.

February 1st kicked off Black History Month. Freight railroads remain dedicated to advancing diversity within their teams through hiring initiatives, employee resource groups and community outreach. Learn more about the impact of Black railroad inventors from Union Pacific.

Quotable: “For House Transportation, Boring is Better.”

“While lawmakers will clearly focus on FAA and pipeline safety reauthorization, railroads believe lawmakers can act on a bipartisan basis to provide proper oversight of the Federal Railroad Administration,” AAR spokesman Ted Greener told the Washington Examiner. “The agency has shown a repeated reluctance to embrace technology that improves safety, sometimes in stark contrast to the stated goals of the full U.S. Department of Transportation.”

Just for Fun: #NationalPizzaDay is 2/9

Whether you like pineapple or not, freight rail helps make the sauce for your pie by moving nearly 1,130 tons of tomatoes annually.

Industry Reads

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Drop in Global Shipping Costs Signals Cooling Inflation, Experts Say

The New York Times
Smaller Rate Increase by Federal Reserve Likely as Inflation Cools

WSJ
The Outlook for Diesel: Supply Woes Aren’t Going Away Soon

RealClear Markets
The Federal Railroad Administration Pursues Non Sequiturs Over Safety (Opinion)

Land Line
Five states pursue rule changes to accommodate truck platooning