STB launches case status webpage

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) yesterday launched a new case status webpage as part of its ongoing efforts to increase transparency and accountability.

Since his appointment early last year, STB Chair Patrick Fuchs has issued periodic updates about pending board adjudicatory proceedings for the first time since the agency's creation. The new case status makes those updates systematic. It covers all pending proceedings, offering estimated decision dates when feasible and providing weekly updates, STB officials said in a press release.

The page shows the proceeding status and date of next expected action for each case. Recently filed documents and proceedings that are in record-building status may not appear immediately, but once cases reach the board review phase, the board will strive to provide timing estimates, STB officials said. The page will typically be updated on Wednesdays, they added.

"With the launch of the case status page, we’re giving the public clearer visibility into our work and setting more predictable expectations for board actions, helping the marketplace plan with greater confidence and supporting the continued growth of the U.S. economy," Fuchs said.

The case status page is the latest in the board's transparency efforts. In May, the STB launched a beta version of its Open Data Portal, which allows users to export data across carriers and time periods. The board also recently improved its website search function.