Ackman/canadian pacific

[farmaholic]

Excellent points 88.

Chime in anytime hopalong, you and Mr. Bourque speak the same language.

If someone "guaranteed" you profit with some convoluted formula would you complain? Are all the pieces of the formula even relevent today (pieces and prices). How often are they reviewed?

[farmaholic]

Given there is no "real competition" I guess they can complain because they could charge what they want.....

[bucket]

Farmaholic

You realize the free market advocates have to huddle like socialists before they blitz these threads?

[Braveheart]

I think of myself a a free market advocate and I don't need to huddle with anyone. I doubt Hopalong does either.

The thing is, just complaining about the lack of rail accountability and efficiency won't fix anything. IF YOU FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM GETS BIGGER. IF YOU FOCUS ON THE SOLUTION, THE SOLUTION GETS BIGGER.

So, what is the solution? Let's hear ideas AV'ers. More creative solutions than open running rights please, because that dog won't hunt.

[farmaholic]

Braveheart, just afew posts up are some solutions.

Ask Sasktel about the equivalent of open running rights. Other service providers were able to use their infrastructure to compete against them. How is it the ****ing sacred cow, aka Railroads, should be immune to competition?

[bucket]

I think Oliver88 hit the nail on the head.

As usual better reporting from all players.

Ordering cars months in advance that matches contracts signed.

Railways have to start putting money into their infrastructure for faster service.

The government has to be involved as either a regulator with teeth or as a service provider when others refuse.

Level of service agreements, what stage are they at? Government told me yesterday that's between graincos and railways. And no one is doing anything.

Contact the Chinese if they are willing to build another railway. That too will require government involvement.


Plenty of ideas have been presented on this forum and to government that ultimately has to make the changes by legislation. It's obvious this government won't. Sadly I vote for them.

[bucket]

Braveheart

I do not see any farm group putting solutions out there and most have said on this forum individuals don't count, they have to belong to a herd to be a validated idea.

And if the people in these organizations can't read the solutions on sites like this. Well I am sure you can see where the problems starts and why solutions don't get implemented.

[bucket]

Open running rights should be implemented asap.

I live near a line CP services. All points are the same grain co.

The last point on the line has a locomotive and a 112 car spot. They could shuttle cars from a point just outside of moose jaw from either major and service their points. Weekly regular service could be implemented.

There is an idea. Utilize all points in an effective way, provide regular service, move the grain, save the highways.

Oops I better go wrap up in tin foil again.

[cottonpicken]

It sucks but its true,all sectors of the the supply chain in front of the farmer have to be profitable but......

So god damn many illegal and immoral things have happened to us and i fear they will never end so i am at a loss.....

[ado089]

Tweety, who paid for the land the rails are built on? Who funded the building and maintenance of the rail system up until the not too distant past? What obligations where imposed in exchange for getting alot for nothing? How many concessions to those obligations have been made so the poor RR's could make more money? Too many people need a quick history lesson on the RR's in Canada and a brushup on economics as it pertains to free markets and competition.

For a bunch of people who were viscerally opposed to a monopoly on grain buying, myself included, you sure are complacent to a the existence of a transportation monopoly.

[ado089]

Here's a free market solution with minimal government involvement. Split both companies at down the middle of Saskatchewan.So two operate east and two operate west. Then they would compete for traffic not only among each other on the same corridor but also east and west. Private corporations and shareholders still get to call the shots but there would be options.

[fjlip]

I suggested Ritz BEG the Chinese to create a third RR, then watch these two compete or die.