Long-Run Effects of Mergers: The Case of U.S. Western Railroads

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Law and Economics
Year: 2011
Volume: 54
Issue: 2
Pages: 275 - 304

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We provide a retrospective assessment of the effects of the two recent major railroad mergers in the western United States (Burlington Northern-Atchison-Topeka-Santa Fe and Union Pacific-Southern Pacific) on the price of rail transport of export grain. Estimation accounts for selectivity bias that arises because rail prices are observed only for routes with traffic. Despite concerns that both mergers could harm consumers by reducing carrier competition, we find that, in the long run, the mergers have had negligible effects on grain transportation prices and consumer welfare.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlawec:doi:10.1086/655164
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25