West Texas is no stranger to hard work and resilience. We’ve weathered droughts, economic downturns, and boom-and-bust cycles. But right now, there’s a threat most people aren’t talking about, and it could quietly undermine the jobs and affordability that keep our families afloat.
Railroads are the backbone of West Texas commerce. They move the materials that keep our industries running, including oil, agricultural products, and manufactured goods, across the country and to ports worldwide. For workers and businesses alike, reliable rail service means steady jobs, predictable supply chains, and goods arriving on time and at fair prices.
That is why the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern demands careful scrutiny. If approved, this merger would consolidate control of nearly 40 percent of U.S. freight rail, including critical West Texas routes. Less competition in the rail industry often leads to higher costs, slower service, and fewer options for shippers. These increased expenses do not stay in the rail companies’ pockets. They ripple through the supply chain, hitting West Texas families where it hurts most, in their wallets.
Rising transportation costs mean higher prices for food, fuel, construction materials, and other essentials. For many West Texans already balancing tight budgets, that is an added burden that risks pushing everyday affordability out of reach.
But the risks go beyond just prices. Freight rail supports thousands of good-paying jobs in our region, including engineers, conductors, maintenance crews, and logistics staff. When rail competition diminishes, companies often cut costs by reducing staff, extending hours, or delaying necessary maintenance. That jeopardizes both job security and worker safety.
We have seen these patterns play out after previous rail consolidations. Service disruptions, congestion, and increased rates became the norm, not the exception. West Texas workers and families bore the brunt of those impacts. We cannot afford to repeat that mistake.
The Surface Transportation Board’s recent decision to reject an incomplete merger application was the right call. A deal of this scale demands transparency, thorough review, and a clear demonstration that it will enhance, not harm, competition, service, and affordability.
West Texas is a place where hard work meets community spirit. Our economy is growing, and families deserve policies that protect their livelihoods and keep costs manageable. Reliable, competitive freight rail service is essential to that future.
As this merger review continues, I urge regulators and policymakers to put West Texas workers and families first. Let us preserve a rail system that supports affordable living and secure jobs, not one that leaves communities paying the price for unchecked corporate consolidation.
Our homes, our jobs, and our future depend on it.
Jenny Talvarez is a West Texas Hispanic Activist and former Congressional and State Representative staffer.
