TRANSPORTATION

Texas Rail Panel Opposes Merger: The three-member Texas Railroad Commission said the proposed merger between Union Pacific Corp. and Southern Pacific Rail Corp. would hurt Texas consumers and rail shippers. However, they agreed to support a merger between the lines if substantial changes are made to the agreement. The changes suggested by the panel include divestiture of certain lines by Southern Pacific and guarantees that competitors will have easy access to abandoned track. Union Pacific Vice President Jack Kyle III said he was disappointed with the decision but will have to see how much weight the vote carries. Texas and other states will present their positions to a federal panel that will vote on the proposed merger.