The impact of COVID-19 on consumer-facing industries, like aviation or retail, has received great coverage in the press and in the public consciousness. Less-publicized — but still significant — are the impacts the virus and the subsequent economic shutdowns have had on business-to-business industries like freight rail. The freight rail industry continues to operate throughout the pandemic, but it faces significant challenges due to fluctuating demand — particularly for key traffic drivers like automobiles and energy.

While COVID-19 upset the industry’s status quo, operations continue with the industry adapting to keep traffic moving, meet customers’ evolving needs, and seize opportunities that became apparent during the pandemic. While some of these adaptations are temporary, others will drive lasting changes in behavior both among railroads and their customers. In this webinar, Ian Jefferies, President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, will outline the state of the freight rail industry post-COVID, where the industry is headed, and what the direction of the industry can reveal about the broader economy.

Speakers:
Ian Jefferies, President and CEO, Association of American Railroads
Paul Lewis, Vice President of Policy and Finance, Eno Center for Transportation

Watch the Recording:

As AAR’s President and CEO, Jefferies advocates for and works with member railroads to ensure the long-term viability of America’s railroad industry. Jefferies has more than a decade of experience working in government. From 2009 to 2013, he served as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and from 2013-2019 he was AAR’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.