CP Rail, Norfolk launch joint intermodal service between Eastern Canada and NY/NJ ports

CALGARY (Sept. 26, 2001) — Canadian Pacific Railway and Norfolk Southern Corp. will launch joint intermodal service between the Port of New York/New Jersey and Eastern Canada that slices one-third off the standard rail transit time.

The service begins Oct. 1.

“For the first time, import-export shippers will have an expedited rail
service option that is competitive with truck transit times between the Port and Montreal and Toronto,” said Lawre Allen, CPR vice-president of intermodal and automotive, in a press release. “Our new service will provide shippers with consistent second-morning destination arrival.”

Rail transit time between the Port of New York/New Jersey and Eastern Canada is typically three days. The new CPR-NS package uses the Port Authority’s fast-throughput on-dock ExpressRail intermodal terminal with priority passage through rail terminals along the route.

“This service blurs the line between train and truck,” Allen said. “In fact, truckers have already been asking to use it. With second-morning arrival, they’re interested in putting their container loads on our trains, saving the cost of fuel and drivers, and avoiding the risk of highway congestion and border delays that can delay deliveries and drive up their costs.”

Initially, the service will operate three days a week in each direction with departures on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. CPR will also provide a connecting service at Montreal for import-export container shipments between the Port of New York/New Jersey and Western Canada.

Launch of the service by CPR and NS coincides with a period of major
redevelopment of the Port of New York/New Jersey, which serves as the gateway to the largest, most affluent consumer market on the continent.