Automotive Network Update for Wednesday, November 22, 2023
With the upcoming Thanksgiving and the Day after Thanksgiving holidays, we are delivering this Network Update earlier than scheduled. We will resume our normal biweekly schedule on Friday, December 8.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
The BNSF network remains in solid condition as we head into the holiday weekend and peak shipping season. Car velocity decreased this week versus the prior week but remains above the average reported for October. Terminal dwell increased from the previous week, while our local service compliance measure held above 91 percent.
As reported, a derailment occurred on our New Westminster Subdivision near White Rock, British Columbia, south of Vancouver, late Sunday afternoon. Service was restored Tuesday morning, and train flows through the area are normalizing, with continued improvement expected through the holiday.
THANKSGIVING OPERATING PLAN
BNSF will operate automotive trains over the holiday and our automotive facilities will remain fully staffed and open for haulaway during normal scheduled hours. Connecting carriers who have reduced operations for the holiday may cause delays on interline traffic. Due to lighter traffic volumes over the holiday, we anticipate some extending of our service schedules as we consolidate volumes to fill trains. We expect shipments from Wednesday, November 22, through Monday, November 27, may experience delays of up to 48 hours.
Customer Support will maintain a limited staff on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, November 24. Normal coverage will resume on Saturday, November 25.
SERVICE EXPECTATIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
Winter weather watches and advisories are in effect over Idaho, Wyoming and western Montana. This arctic cold front is expected to bring moderate to heavy snow through Thanksgiving as it moves southward into Colorado and across the Plains on Friday. BNSF teams are prepared and ready to respond to weather-related service challenges. Elsewhere across the BNSF network, no significant disruptions due to severe weather are anticipated at this time.
We thank you for your business and appreciate the opportunity to serve as your transportation service provider. We welcome your feedback and questions.