By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Higher car loads across the board helped BNSF to a solid second quarter. The nation's second largest railroad released its 2Q earnings report Tuesday.
BNSF reported a total revenue increase of 26% over the previous year at $5.8 billion. Operating income jumped 28% to $2.2 billion.
BNSF saw increases in every car load sector including coal which jumped by 32% to 384,000 loads. Total car load volume was 2.6 million loads, an increase of 24%.
Expenses for the railroad did increase by 25% as consumer goods began moving again as the first wave of the pandemic eased. Higher car volumes along with higher fuel prices were reasons for the increase. Fuel prices jumped 112% in the past three months.
BNSF operates about 10 trains per day through Reno County along with Amtrak's Southwest Chief. It’s the second highest property tax payer in the county at $1.7 million.
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