WASHINGTON — Union Pacific is disputing Metra’s claim that it “misused confidential communications” in a recent Surface Transportation Board filing in the ongoing fight over the commuter operator’s access to UP’s lines.
In a Dec. 24 filing posted to the STB website today (Dec. 29), UP says the material it cited was permissible because it was about the process of ongoing negotiations, rather than the substance. That material was in a Dec. 15 filing arguing against Metra’s request for the board to set contract terms for Metra use of UP’s track; UP argues the Metra request was premature because the sides were making progress in negotiations [see “UP asks regulators to deny …,” Trains.com, Dec. 16, 2025].
Metra subsequently objected to UP’s use of material from a Metra letter, saying it was confidential under the terms of the ongoing negotiations [see “Metra says Union Pacific improperly used …,” Trains.com, Dec. 19, 2025].
UP’s brief response says its use of that letter was “appropriate and necessary to correct Metra’s mischaracterizations of the parties’ negotiatons.” UP argues that Metra claimed the sides were at an impasse just days after it said its goal was to reach an agreement, and in the new filing says “Union Pacific’s only option to demonstrate misstatements to the board was to use Metra’s own words.” It further argues it redacted “everything of substance” from that letter.
Metra also has new filing
In a separate filing today, Metra asked the board to turn down UP’s request for a protective order, which would halt Metra’s discovery efforts related to its request for the board to set terms. That UP request also centered on its argument that the Metra request is premature. Metra argues that it is seeking information necessary to address compensation within a time frame set by the board’s Sept. 3 decision granting Metra trackage rights.
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This is getting annoying. Like two kids fighting.
No, this ine oarty wanting something for nothing or very kittle and the other party willing t workk with them but only at a fair price, Here is the case: UP owns the Tracks, always has. Metra wants to continue to have access to the tracks. Metra does not want to pay what that cost is, instead wanting to pay what they always had paid before UP decided that it didn’t want to be in the commuter rail business anymore or subsidize Metra. UP wants them to pay the actual costs to use the tracks including paying their part of the taxes that UP has to pay the State of Illinois and their share of the liability Insurance, the cost of doing business. Metra thinks they should be exempt from such reasonable costs. Metra has two choices: Pay the costs or quit using the lines. UP is not in the business if giving away its business anymore than Metra is willing to give away theirs. Since Metra could never afford to build their own line in 100 years, what would be the smart thing to do? Pay the costs and raise their ticket prices to cover their actual costs. DO that or shut down. You are a tenant so your rights are very limited. The days of the government hand out are over. If you can’t provide a business case, then sell the service to someone who can and get out of the business…. Seems a simple solution. Either that or take UP to Federal court and when they present their actual costs that you are unwilling to pay, and the court finds in their favor, you will have to pay them anyway plus court costs in top of that… GET SMART BEFORE THAT HAPPENS…