Railroads in the United States are set to lose over $2024 million due to cargo theft by 100. According to reports published by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), there has been a significant increase in thefts this year, and experts are warning that the government needs to take action against the problem with stronger laws.
Dramatic Increase in Burglaries
According to data provided by AAR, railroad thefts are set to rise to 2024 in 65.000, a 40% increase from the same period last year. Thieves are not only targeting freight trains, they are also increasingly carrying weapons, creating the risk of violent confrontations during arrests. While only 10% of thefts result in arrests, many criminals continue to target the same trains over and over again.
High Costs of Railways
“Thefts are a major operational problem for railroads,” said Ian Jefferies, AAR President and CEO. “They disrupt freight train service and damage equipment. As a result, trains are stopped and delays are increased, which can have a significant impact on efficiency. Railroads are faced with additional costs due to increased insurance claims and infrastructure repairs. Additionally, the devastation caused by criminals forces railroads to make major investments to repair their infrastructure and maintain operations.”
Government's Rapid Intervention Demanded
AAR officials are calling for a stronger federal response to the problem. While railroads have made great efforts to protect against threats posed by criminals, they have struggled to solve the problem alone. AAR advocates for better coordination between federal agencies and local police departments, and the creation of data-sharing platforms to effectively track and address freight theft.
New Legislative Proposals for Supply Chain Security
Railroads are partnering with supply chain allies to combat theft and calling for tougher penalties at the federal level. Reps. Valadao and Schneider are proposing the Protect Our Supply Chains Act, which would increase collaboration between federal agencies and local law enforcement to provide a more effective solution to freight theft.
The Struggle Between Organized Crime and the Railroads
The railways continue to fight organised crime and say that this problem needs to be addressed before it escalates. Experts predict that if the government does not introduce stronger laws and sanctions, theft rates could increase even further. Therefore, AAR and the railways are calling for the government’s swift intervention to ensure the safety of their sector and eliminate operational problems.
Railroads in the United States are facing a major crisis. With thefts costing over $100 million, these incidents not only result in financial losses, but also threaten the operational efficiency of the railroads. Railroads are looking to the government for a swift and strong response, or the problem is bound to grow even bigger.
