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NAFTA trade slides 24.9 percent from last year (The following story by Thomas L. Gallagher appeared on The Journal of Commerce website on October 29, 2009.) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Surface trade with Canada and Mexico in August fell 24.9 percent from August 2008 to $54.3 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation. August was the third consecutive month in which the rate of decline slowed from the 35.4 percent drop in May, the worst month so far in the recession. Trade between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners using truck, rail or pipeline has been in decline since October 2008, when the global recession began to pinch with a 2.1 percent slip. The fall quickly went into double digit retreat and all this year was more than 27 percent each month until August. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 5.3 percent in August from the previous month. The value of NAFTA surface trade in August was lower than in August of any year since 2004. U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $32.9 billion in August, down 29.6 percent compared to August 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 26.1 percent lower in August 2009 compared to August 2008, while the value of exports carried by truck was 17 percent lower during this period. U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $21.3 billion in August, down 16.2 percent compared to August 2008. The value of imports carried by truck was 13.5 percent lower in August 2009 than August 2008 while the value of exports carried by truck was 14.7 percent lower. Friday, October 30, 2009 © 1997-2009 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen

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DAILY HEADLINES
November 20, 2009

•	AAR: U.S. rail freight volume down during Veterans Day holiday week

•	CN train crew now resting comfortably at home after hitting a rock/mud slide

•	TWU set to vote on SEPTA contract

•	Rail shippers, carriers see 2010 recovery

•	FRA study shows freight rail fuel efficiency up more than 20% since 1999

•	Buffett's Berkshire secures $8 billion loan for BNSF deal

•	Amtrak adding trains on Cascades route for Thanksgiving holiday

•	Montana sues BNSF over grain hauls

•	Opinion: New locomotives are green machines

•	Grand Central Terminal for Atlanta?

•	Report: 70 percent of Metra bridges need upgrades

•	Florida lawmakers confident about the passage of SunRail

•	CSX introduces ultra-low emission locomotives in Indiana

•	NS plan to run trains through park angers W.Va. officials

•	Amtrak extends fare promotion on Northeast Regional service

•	Rail grinding stirs some confusion

•	SEPTA moves ahead on extending R3 rail line

•	New York MTA sets final spending plan for 2010

•	UP derailment investigation continues in Ill.

•	Driver mistakes BNSF railroad tracks for road

•	Operation Lifesaver films distracted driving public service announcements

•	Midwest Association of Rail Shippers to host January meeting

•	Wisconsin land owner injured in ground collapse sues CSX

•	Union Pacific, San Antonio River Authority agree on new drift removal practices

•	CSX gives city $22,125 to plant trees along tracks

•	No Railroad Retirement benefit increase in 2010; Most retiree earnings limits remain at 2009 levels

•	Railroad Retirement annuities and pensions from work not covered by Social Security or Railroad Retirement

•	RRB: Medicare Part B Premiums for 2010

•	Final RRB Informational Conference of 2009 is Dec. 11

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