NARUC creates transportation task force to study network companies, rail issues

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) announced last week that the organization has signed a charter creating a task force on transportation.

“New business models in passenger carriage and a number of prominent rail accidents have brought renewed prominence to issues that have not had a lot of visibility for a generation,” Travis Kavulla, president of NARUC, said. “Many state commissions are asking questions about how best to regulate these industries, and while there is no single answer, this task force will provide practical assistance to support States’ efforts as they gather resources and information to better serve in the public interest. Both Commissioner Brown and Commissioner Rendahl have extensive transportation experience and we are fortunate to have them lead this task force.”

Many NARUC member commissions claim jurisdiction over certain aspects of rail safety along with passenger services like transportation network companies, taxis, limos, moving companies and garbage collection companies. The task force will propose resolutions to NARUC’s board as well as outline approaches that individual states can take to emerging industry issues – specifically safety concerns.

NARUC is a non-profit organization whose members are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the U.S. Member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy and water utilities.