Organization

Open Markets Institute

655 15th Street NW, Suite 310, Washington, DC 20005,

The Open Markets Institute is a Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit think tank focused on countering monopoly power and promoting competitive markets that support democracy and broadly shared prosperity.

Coverage areas

Guests (1)

Arnav Rao
Transportation Policy Analyst

Episodes (1)

2026-09-22
Transportation Analyst Says UP-NS Merger Would Harm Shippers and Communities
with Arnav Rao
In the latest episode of the Powering America Podcast, transportation policy analyst Arnav Rao from the Open Markets Institute discusses the potential impact of the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads. Rao argues that the merger could harm shippers and communities by consolidating market power, increasing freight traffic, and exacerbating issues related to pricing and service reliability. He emphasizes the importance of a strong rail system for industrial growth and environmental sustainability in the United States.

Notable quotes

“Even if we have a single line service, there's no guarantee that the railroad would pass those efficiencies on to shippers.”
“Farmers' grain silos really feel the pinch from those increased costs.”
“With trucking, shippers are able to really get a fine-grained, here's where my shipment is, here's when it's coming.”
“Union Pacific accounts for more blocked crossing reports than all of the other Class I railroads combined.”
“A strong rail system is really important for industrial revival.”
“Rising fuel costs ostensibly should be a favor for railroads, right? Trucks consume way more fuel than railroads do.”