Precision Scheduled Railroading moves south of the border NEWSWIRE

KANSAS CITY – Kansas City Southern is introducing precision scheduled railroading to subsidiary Kansas City Southern de Mexico.

The first phase is scheduled for about Nov. 18, officials say, with full implementation by January 2020.

KCS is launching PSR in Mexico “to improve service and achieve our vision to consistently be the fastest-growing, best-performing, most customer-focused transportation provider in North America,” officials say.

To free up capacity in northern Mexico, KCSM in Phase One will shift train blocking to the south “as well as reduce interim train stops (work events) en route via the critical San Luis Potosi area.” 

Phase Two, to go into effect about Dec. 2, is aimed at KCSM’s capacity-limited Mexican industrial heartland by “leveraging other key and nearby facilities on our network to serve the needs of these markets.”

To aid in Central Mexico operations, KCS officials say, “We will leverage a core PSR design principle: run general-purpose trains. Not for everything and not everywhere, but where it is sensible.

“This will allow us to create efficiency in the most critical zones by forwarding like-destined railcars further into the network before the next work event.”

The third and final phase will address northbound, cross-border shipments.

KCS acknowledges railroads launching PSR experience growing pains.  

“We recognize that change can be difficult and isn’t without adjustments,” KCS is telling its customers. “We thank you in advance for your patience and confidence as we execute these changes.  Our goal is, and will always be, improving service delivery, via on-time and consistent service.”

KCS launched PSR in the U.S. nearly a year ago.  As a result, almost 25% of respondents to a customer satisfaction survey noticed “significant” improvements in on time and consistent service,” railroad officials say. “Our goal is 100%, not 25%.”