Supply chain efficiency benefits show up in everyday life. They include better shipping options, lower consumer costs and reduced congestion on taxpayer-funded roads. The Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern combination will add new single-line rail options, increase competition and improve freight movement across the country. These changes will reduce truck traffic, lower emissions and expand access to reliable shipping for businesses and communities in America and to global markets.

When goods move faster and more predictably, businesses spend less on transportation. When costs go down, prices are more competitive. When shipping options expand, more communities can participate in the economy and grow jobs. Reduced costs for shippers flows down to consumers who can purchase more affordable goods. A more competitive rail network will create those outcomes.

Shifting freight from higher-cost trucks to lower-cost rail is projected to save shippers an estimated $3.5 billion annually – savings expected to flow through to consumer prices.

By creating seamless, single-line service across the country, the merger will improve speed and predictability. That means products arrive on time, helping everyone from retailers to leaders in agriculture keep shelves stocked and supply chains running smoothly.

Rail has tremendous advantages. It moves freight at a lower cost per ton-mile, uses far less fuel per shipment, and produces dramatically lower emissions than trucking—it’s the safest, most efficient, and most sustainable way to move freight over land. Truck incident rates are 6.84 per 100 million gross ton miles, compared to only 0.45 for railroads.