Transport Canada has named public affairs and market research firm NRG Research Group to run a survey of rail stakeholders as part of the federal rail service review.
NRG, which works out of offices in Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg, is to survey shippers, terminal operators, transloaders, port authorities, and shipping lines about their views on railway service and the “performance of the rail-based logistics chain.”
NRG’s survey, due to be completed by the end of September, will be one of four projects in Phase 1 of the rail freight service review, meant to “achieve a better understanding of the state of the rail service.”
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“NRG Research Group’s expertise will help to ensure there is a good understanding of issues related to the rail-based logistics system,” Alberta MP Rob Merrifield, the federal minister of state for transport, said in a release May 29.
Following the contract award, NRG “will hold an initial meeting with officials and begin its work immediately,” the government said.
The other three Phase 1 projects are expected to be completed by late October, the government said. Phase 2 would start with the appointment of a panel to develop recommendations in consultation with stakeholders and submit a final report to the federal minister of transport and infrastructure in spring 2010.
The rail service review is to examine Canada’s rail-based logistics chain, including shippers, terminal operators, ports and vessels, focusing on the service provided to Canadian shippers and customers.
