The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has named Norfolk Southern Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Mike McClellan to its newly created Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC). McClellan, one of 21 inaugural committee members, will advise the Board on issues impacting the development and operation of passenger rail service. He is one of two representatives from Class I freight railroads and will serve a three-year term.  

"I am honored to be appointed to the inaugural Passenger Rail Advisory Committee by the Surface Transportation Board,” said McClellan. “Norfolk Southern's commitment to smart passenger development aligns closely with the objectives of the PRAC, and I look forward to contributing insights and expertise to advance the development and operation of passenger rail service over the coming years."

According to STB, PRAC’s activities include providing information, advice, and recommendations to the Board on issues such as improving efficiency on passenger rail routes; reducing disputes between passenger rail carriers and freight rail hosts regarding the use of freight-owned facilities and infrastructure for passenger service, including passenger on-time performance issues; and improving regulatory processes related to intercity passenger rail to the benefit of the public, the communities served by passenger rail, and the environment. 

Over the course of his 26 years with Norfolk Southern, McClellan has held positions within the company’s Intermodal, automotive, and industrial products teams. Since 2018, he has been responsible for overseeing Norfolk Southern’s strategic planning efforts, focusing on the development of its network and fostering public-private partnerships to enhance rail safety, capacity, and efficiency. 

McClellan's leadership has resulted in notable advancements in passenger rail access across Norfolk Southern's 22-state network, including recent collaborations with Amtrak and state agencies in North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.