James Oberstar: “The reason for ending ICC regulation and oversight of express carriers was that the concept of express carrier had…”

“The reason for ending ICC regulation and oversight of express carriers was that the concept of express carrier had become obsolete. The ICC staff itself recommended the elimination of express carrier status. It was not an oversight, it was not something that someone forgot to do, it was not something that was neglected in drafting. It was not a drafting error. It was done for good reason. The last express carrier went out of business in the mid-1970's. Federal Express purchased that carrier's operating certificates. The Surface Transportation Board, successor to ICC, advised us in writing, 'Federal Express apparently never engaged in the operations authorized by these certificates.' Subsequently, Federal Express obtained and operated new certificates which, according to the Surface Transportation Board, were 'different from the licenses typically issued to motor common carriers to provide express service.' In short, Mr. Speaker, and factually, without hyperbole, Federal Express has never been an express carrier. There have been no other express carriers since the 1970's.”