Guide to Railway Charges for Crossing Maintenance and Construction 2021

Table of contents

Effective November 1st, 2021

Note

The rates in the schedules of this guide are based on information submitted by Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CP) in 2019, which the Agency has indexed for 2021.

Introduction

The Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) is responsible for, among other duties, resolving disputes or facilitating the resolution of disputes related to railway crossings, as they arise between federal railway companies and other parties such as utility companies, road authorities and landowners.

Under section 101 of the Canada Transportation Act (CTA), railway companies, road authorities and utility companies may negotiate agreements for any aspect of a crossing. These agreements usually include rates to be charged for work performed, and specify which parties are responsible for paying for this work. Where agreements cannot be reached by the parties, the Agency, upon receiving an application, may resolve issues relating to the construction, maintenance and apportionment of costs of road and utility crossings.

Under section 103 of the CTA, if the construction of a railway line does not divide a landowner's land, but the railway company and the landowner adjoining the railway disagree on some aspect of a private crossing, the landowner can apply to the Agency. The Agency may order the railway company to construct a suitable crossing, if the Agency considers such a crossing necessary to the landowner's enjoyment of the land. It may also determine what constitutes a suitable crossing, and what terms and conditions should govern the crossing. In these cases, the landowner pays the costs of constructing and maintaining the crossing.

This Guide has been developed to assist railway companies, landowners, road authorities, and utility companies, by providing a third-party assessment of rail costs, and proposing consistent, nation-wide schedules and guidelines for work performed by railway companies. This Guide may be used by federal railway companies, as a reference, when charging for work performed at crossings, crossing warning systems, or for any other crossing-related work either agreed to by the parties or authorized by an order of the Agency.

The rates in the attached schedules are developed from Class I railway companies' accounting data in accordance with the principles, methods and procedures established for the costing of Class I railway operations for regulatory purposes. They have been developed to provide a guide to the parties involved in a railway crossing agreement as to the total costs incurred by Class I railway companies for work and services performed at road crossings.

Application

Parties are encouraged to negotiate contracts for crossing-related work that incorporate:

  • Specifications;
  • Rates;
  • Time frames; and
  • The terms and conditions.

In the event of a dispute, the Agency will assess the merits of the case and determine whether the rates in this Guide should apply. Furthermore, these rates may apply, from the effective date of this Guide, to any past orders issued by the Agency’s predecessors.

As indicated above, the rates in this Guide are developed from Class I railway companies' accounting data to represent their total costs and therefore:

  • may not accurately reflect the costs incurred by non-Class I railway companies; and
  • do not take into consideration any costs related to crossing maintenance and construction that are incurred by parties other than the railway companies.

The rates contained in this guide fall into two categories:

  1. Scheduled maintenance rates (Schedule A) which cover routine maintenance of crossing warning systems; and
  2. General billing guidelines (Schedules B to E) which cover construction and unscheduled maintenance projects, and crossing surface maintenance, based on the actual activities performed.

Agency Assistance

If any party wishes to seek Agency assistance in resolving issues relating to work performed at crossings, an application must be made in writing, include all supporting information, be signed by the applicant and be filed with the Agency at the following coordinates:

Email, courier or fax the completed form, copies of the documents supporting your application and any additional pages to:

Attn: Secretary
Canadian Transportation Agency
By email secretariat@otc-cta.gc.ca
By fax 819-953-5253
By courrier 819-953-5253
60 Laval Street
Unit 01
Gatineau, QC
J8X 3G9

Category 1: Billing Guidelines for Scheduled Maintenance of Crossing Warning Systems (Schedule A)

Applicable Railway Crossing Projects

The charges in this section apply only to scheduled maintenance of crossing warning systems. Scheduled maintenance is the standard preventative maintenance which is intended to ensure the reliable and safe operation of a crossing warning system. The scheduled maintenance rates cover all labour, material, vehicle costs and overhead associated with ensuring the functional operation of a crossing warning system. A breakdown of the rates to be charged for each category is contained in Schedule A.

For the purposes of this guide, and to better reflect the costs involved, scheduled maintenance rates have been divided into two categories: crossing warning systems with gates (Type 1); and crossing warning systems without gates (Type 2). No scheduled maintenance rates are to be charged for crossings having only passive warning systems such as reflectorized signboards.

This section addresses the following cost components:

Direct Labour Rates

The scheduled maintenance labour rates include the labour costs associated with all routine service calls and maintenance work, and scheduled testing and inspections. The labour portion of the work has been divided into two categories: work performed by signal maintainers; and work performed by track and roadway crews.

The work performed by signal maintainers includes regular service calls and inspections, and painting and parts replacement, as well as all scheduled safety tests, which comprise weekly, monthly, 3-month, 6 month, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10 year tests. The work performed by track and roadway crews includes: weekly testing in place of signal maintainers (for certain regions of the country); flagging during routine maintenance; and the replacement of insulated joints and temporary bond wires.

Weekly tests are performed on all crossing warning systems across Canada where railway companies operate. In some regions, these tests are performed by the signal maintainers and in other regions, by the track and roadway crews. The system-wide time spent on the weekly tests has been apportioned between the two labour groups.

The base labour rate is calculated for both signal maintainers and track and roadway crews by dividing the total dollar amount paid to employees in each labour category by the total hours worked in the same labour category. The amount paid includes straight time, vacation, statutory holidays, overtime and other pay-related benefits as well as a standby charge.

Direct Material Rates

The scheduled maintenance direct material rate covers the costs associated with the replacement of basic material items, including paint, batteries, and light bulbs, as well as any other material components replaced due to normal wear. This rate also covers any additional charges for the replacement of materials such as masts, cantilevers, gates, etc., due to normal wear.

The basic material cost includes the total material items purchased for crossing maintenance.

Electricity Costs

The electricity cost includes the base cost of electricity supply and consumption required to maintain the operation of a crossing warning system. No material overhead is added to the electricity costs.

Overhead Rates

In addition to the direct costs of labour and material, the railway company also incurs overhead costs related to planning, supervision, and administration of the maintenance activity, as well as administration costs of the railway company as a whole such as accounting, finance, human resources, legal, management services and information systems. The overhead also includes an employee benefit allowance to cover costs relating to the company's portion of employment insurance, pensions, health plans, and other employee benefits.

The scheduled maintenance overhead rates are calculated using the Agency’s costing model and are applied to the labour and material used in the maintenance project. The labour overhead rate is applied to the hours of direct labour employed in the project, and the material overhead rate is applied to each of the material items used in the project.

Vehicle Costs

Vehicle costs incurred for transportation of signal maintainers and track and roadway crews to and from crossings to perform the scheduled tests are also included as part of the scheduled maintenance rates. Vehicle costs are developed using a per hour rate which reflects the costs of ownership and maintenance of these vehicles multiplied by the number of hours the vehicle is used for scheduled maintenance purposes.

Billing Periods

The rates have been presented, for convenience, on an annual basis. Parties to a crossing agreement for scheduled maintenance are free to negotiate the frequency and timing of billing periods (e.g., monthly or annually) that best meet their needs.

Category 2: General Billing Guidelines

Applicable Railway Crossing Projects

The general billing guidelines apply to all work at crossings except for scheduled maintenance of crossing warning systems. Charges under the general billing guidelines should be billed separately from any scheduled maintenance charges and should include a full description of the actual work performed and the related charges. The general billing guidelines include three types of projects:

  • Construction;
  • Crossing surface maintenance; and
  • Unscheduled maintenance

The charges relating to all three categories can be found in Schedules B through E of this guide.

Construction

Construction projects which are captured under the general billing guidelines are the initial construction, reconstruction or upgrade of a:

  • Grade crossing, including the crossing surface and/or the installation of the associated crossing warning system;
  • Grade-separated crossing (no crossing warning system required); and
  • Utility crossing (no crossing warning system required).

Crossing Surface Maintenance

Maintenance performed by a railway company on the crossing surface of a grade crossing, or on a grade separation, is not included in the standard maintenance rates. Any such costs incurred by the railway company are captured under the general billing guidelines.

Crossing surface refers to planking, pavement or other suitable material placed between the rails and to the ends of the ties for the full width of the road crossing.

Damage to the crossing surface can occur due to weather, accidents, scraping by snow ploughs, hits by low ground clearance heavy vehicles, and normal wear and tear over the years. Surface abrasion increases with traffic levels, and the impact loads imposed by vehicle tires transitioning from rail to crossing surface. Cracking can develop in surface material, and wood crossing surfaces are also subject to rot and splitting. The railway company responsibility for performing the maintenance and repair of crossing surfaces may include such work as filling potholes, removing/replacing defective or worn panels, patching, etc.

Unscheduled Maintenance

Unscheduled maintenance refers to corrective work on any crossing warning system damaged by accidents, vandalism, or weather, to restore the reliable, safe, and effective operation of the system.

Charges

This section outlines the general billing guidelines as it pertains to:

  1. Labour charges;
  2. Material charges;
  3. Miscellaneous charges; and
  4. Rental rates for railway equipment.

Labour Charges

The overall labour rate may include the following components:

  • Direct labour charge;
  • Indirect labour factor;
  • Labour overhead rate;
  • Contracted labour rate; and
  • Rate for labour in contracted services

Direct Labour Charge

Direct labour charges are directly related to the labour hours, of railway company employees, used in the construction of new or upgraded crossings, or for unscheduled maintenance of the crossings or the maintenance of the crossing surfaces. The labour charges applicable under this Guide for any general billing project should be based on the actual hours worked multiplied by an hourly labour rate, as specified in each employee’s collective agreement. For construction purposes, the labour charges are applicable to the actual on-site installation of materials.

Indirect Labour Factor (Schedule B)

The direct labour charge only covers the hourly salaries and wages, for the actual hours worked on the project, of the employees whose costs are billed directly to the road authority. However, the railway company also incurs costs related to vacations, statutory holidays, sick leave, and other types of leave, as specified in collective bargaining agreements for those employees. The indirect labour factor covers allowances for these costs, based on railway company data showing the hours actually worked and the hours paid by the railway company for each employee category, and that factor is applied to the direct hourly wage of railway company employees.

Schedule B of this Guide outlines the appropriate indirect labour factor to be applied to direct wage rates for labour costs that fall into the general billing guidelines.

Labour Overhead Charges (Schedule B)

The labour overhead rate for construction, upgrade, crossing surface maintenance, or unscheduled maintenance of crossings covers the same types of expenses as described previously for scheduled maintenance of crossings, and is calculated using the Agency’s costing model. The overheads are described in more detail in the Overhead Summary section of this Guide.

Schedule B of this guide outlines the labour overhead rate to be applied to direct wage rates for labour costs that fall into the general billing guidelines.

Contracted Labour Rate (Schedule B)

For the construction or upgrade of crossing warning systems, a construction crew comprising railway company unionized employees is used in most cases. However, if there are not enough railway company employees available for a construction project, contracted labour may be used.

In these cases, the contracted labour is a part of the construction crew, working alongside the railway company employees. The review of overheads that was initiated after the 2013 update of the Guide shows that the activities undertaken by the railway company to enable and support the construction, such as supervision, rail communications, rail traffic control, etc., encompass both the contracted and railway company labour. Therefore, in the construction or upgrade of a crossing warning system, it is reasonable that the contracted labour would incur the approved railway overhead that relates to enabling and supporting the project. Contracted labour will not incur the overhead related to employee benefits.

Schedule B of this Guide outlines the appropriate overhead rate to be applied to the invoiced contracted labour costs. To emphasize, this overhead rate is applicable only to the direct cost of contracted labour used as part of the project crew in the actual construction or upgrade of a crossing.

Labour in Contracted Services (Schedule B)

The review of activities undertaken to enable or support railway crossing projects suggests that in special circumstances the railway company may contract out specific activities during the construction or upgrade to third parties. For example, digging trenches, locating and moving utilities, drilling and fitting of pipes, etc., could be performed by a contractor as part of the overall project.

Again, it is reasonable that the labour used in performing the contracted part of the project would incur the approved railway overhead relating to enabling and supporting the project, such as rail traffic control and rail communication systems, and their associated administrative costs. The overhead related to employee benefits and associated administrative costs would not be applicable to this labour.

Schedule B of this Guide outlines the appropriate overhead rate to be applied to the labour portion of contracted services performed as part of the overall project. To emphasize, this overhead rate is applicable only to the cost of labour used by a contractor performing assigned tasks during the actual construction or upgrade of a crossing.

Material Charges

The overall material charge is comprised of two components:

  • Direct material charges; and
  • Material overhead rates;

Direct Material Charges

Direct material charges are related to the material used in the construction of new or upgraded crossings, crossing surface maintenance, or unscheduled maintenance of the crossings, including any pre-wired and/or pre-assembled items; and reflect the actual price (including applicable net sales tax Footnote 1) paid by the railway company.

Material Overhead Charges (Schedule C)

In addition to the direct material charges, a material overhead rate is applied to the actual purchase price paid by the railway company for all material items used in the construction, upgrade, crossing surface maintenance or unscheduled maintenance of a crossing, including pre-wired and/or pre-assembled items. The applied rate covers the same types of expenses as previously described for scheduled maintenance projects, and is calculated using the Agency’s costing model.

Schedule C of this Guide outlines the material overhead rate applicable to all material charges used in construction, crossing surface maintenance, and unscheduled maintenance projects.

Miscellaneous Charges

Miscellaneous charges cover three types of costs incurred by railway companies in construction of new or upgraded crossings, crossing surface maintenance, and unscheduled maintenance of existing crossings:

  • Transportation charges for work crews, and equipment to and from the crossing site;
  • Contract administration fees; and
  • Meals and lodging allowances paid to work crews for the duration of the construction, crossing surface maintenance, or unscheduled maintenance project.

Transportation Charges (Schedule D)

The transportation charges section in Schedule D of the Guide applies to:

  • Transportation by rail of material, roadway machines and other miscellaneous equipment to and from work sites, in a work train, or as part of a revenue train;
  • Transportation of roadway machines and other miscellaneous equipment to and from work sites by highway vehicle;
  • Transportation of employees to and from the project site by highway vehicle; and
  • Freight cars used for storage of crossing materials or equipment for a project.

Transportation charges for material or equipment in work trains, revenue trains, or highway vehicles cover ownership, and maintenance costs associated with the locomotives and freight cars, or highway vehicles, used in the respective modes of transportation. The charges for work trains and revenue trains also cover operating costs for crew and fuel. For work trains, an additional trackage charge, which covers the costs of ownership and maintenance of the tracks, is applied.

Schedule D lists the hourly charges (or fractions thereof) applicable for the use of railway company locomotives and cars in work trains for transporting equipment or materials to the work site, plus charges for additional locomotives or cars should they be needed. Charges for the use of revenue trains, or highway vehicles in the transportation of equipment are listed on a per mile basis. The per mile rate for highway vehicles is also applicable for the transportation of employees to and from the project site by railway company-owned vehicles.

A trackage charge is also included in Schedule D to account for the wear and tear on the track from the use of work trains, and the additional freight cars added to revenue trains for the transportation of material or equipment to the project site. In previous editions of the Guide, the trackage charge was presented as a cost per train mile. However, this does not account for the fact that trains for differing lengths would not cause the same track-related costs. That is, a two-car work train for a crossing-related project would not cause the same track-related costs as a 100-car revenue train. To make the trackage charge more accurate for crossing-related projects, the Agency has re-calculated the trackage charge to present it on a per car mile basis in this edition of the Guide. The rate per car mile means the road authority will be charged only in relation to the number of cars used in the transportation of materials or equipment, on either a work train or a revenue train, for the crossing construction or maintenance project.

The charges in Schedule D do not apply to:

  • Railway company labour used to transport equipment by highway vehicle; when the labour hours associated with the transportation function are known, the appropriate charge for the labour hours of transportation (direct, indirect, and overhead) are presented in Schedule B;
  • The use of personal automobiles in the transportation of employees – These charges are billed directly; and
  • Transportation of railway company-owned equipment, other than locomotives, to and from job sites under its own power - Schedule E daily rental rates apply in these cases.

Meals and Lodging (Schedule D)

Meals and lodging allowances for railway company employees working on a project under the general billing guidelines are applicable for employees that are entitled to such allowances in their collective agreements. The allowable charges are those that are specifically identified in each employee's collective agreement.

Contract Administration Fees (Schedule D)

This is an approved railway administration fee charged by railways to cover the cost of arranging a contract for delivery of materials for a crossing project by a third party, or a contract for performing specific activities in a crossing-related project.

Rental Rates of Railway Equipment (Schedule E)

Where company-owned railway equipment is used for projects that fall under the general billing guidelines, the daily rental rates shown in Schedule E: Railway Equipment Rental Rates are applicable.

The rental charges may include the actual time required for moving railway company owned equipment, under its own power or otherwise, from its home base or point of storage to the project site and back again, provided the railway equipment is not being transported directly to the site of another project. If the equipment goes directly from the site of one project to another, the time to move to the first project cannot be applied to the second project.

Summary of Overhead Charges

The Agency conducts ongoing reviews of the overhead rates applied to the construction, upgrade, and maintenance of crossing warning systems to ensure that the overhead rates continue to accurately reflect the costs associated with the crossing related activities.

The Agency has identified the following types of overhead as being appropriate in the construction, upgrade, or maintenance of crossing warning systems, as well as the maintenance of crossing surfaces, which are reflected in the rates found in Schedule's B and C, and embedded in the rates in Schedule A, of this Guide. The descriptions of the specific types of overhead are accompanied by processes to which they apply.

Overhead: Applies to:

Track and roadway administration: Planning and supervision activities to support the railway company’s maintenance activities.

  • Crossing Construction or Upgrade
  • Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance
  • Crossing Surface Maintenance

General administration: Accounting, finance, human resources, legal, management services, information systems and other management functions needed to support the railway company’s operations.

  • Crossing Construction or Upgrade
  • Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance
  • Crossing Surface Maintenance

Dispatching: Dispatching activities to ensure coordination of movements on the track network, control of the project area, and safety of work crews. Dispatching is an overhead on labour only.

  • Crossing Construction or Upgrade
  • Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance
  • Crossing Surface Maintenance

Rail communication system expenses: Investment, maintenance, operation and amortization expenses for rail communication systems, which are needed to coordinate movements and ensure safety of the work crews on the project.

  • Crossing Construction or Upgrade
  • Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance
  • Crossing Surface Maintenance

Employee benefits expenses: Payment of employment benefits to the employees who work directly on the project or perform the administrative, supervisory and management activities to support the maintenance project, including health and welfare, pensions, Canada and Quebec pension plans, employment insurance, and other employee benefits.

  • Crossing Construction or Upgrade
  • Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance
  • Crossing Surface Maintenance

Office buildings expenses: Expenses related to the upkeep of office buildings used by the work crews and the administrative, supervisory and management support staff, including the costs of investments, maintenance, operation and depreciation of the buildings.

  • Crossing Construction or Upgrade
  • Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance
  • Crossing Surface Maintenance

Material stores: Expenses related to the upkeep, and operation of the facilities in which materials are stored. Material stores is an overhead on materials only.

  • Crossing Construction or Upgrade
  • Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance
  • Crossing Surface Maintenance

Shop Overheads: Expenses incurred related to using shops as staging facilities in the construction or upgrade of a crossing warning system. Shops are also used in the wiring of bungalows when those activities are performed by the railway company. Shop Overheads apply only to material expenses.

  • Crossing Construction or Upgrade

Taxes: Costs of municipal property taxes paid on the office buildings.

  • Crossing Construction or Upgrade
  • Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance
  • Crossing Surface Maintenance

Insurance: Costs of insurance against injuries to employees and loss, damage and destruction of third-party property.

  • Crossing Construction or Upgrade
  • Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance
  • Crossing Surface Maintenance

Working capital: Interest paid on the working capital needed to sustain day-to-day operation.

  • Crossing Construction or Upgrade
  • Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance
  • Crossing Surface Maintenance

The Agency also confirms that the construction overhead for materials is also applicable to pre-wired or pre-assembled materials, like all other materials used in the construction or upgrade of a crossing warning system.

Arranging for the pre-contracted supply of material or services for crossing projects, and the associated billing and accounting activities, are difficult to properly estimate as overhead on direct time in the Agency costing methodology. In the absence of any other information the contract administration fee in previous editions of the Guide is retained (Schedule D).

The transportation of company-owned railway equipment to and from the job site can be done by work train (rail) or by highway vehicle (road). In any case where a work train is used, the rates in schedule D should be applied. The work train rates have overhead embedded in them, and thus no other overhead should be added. The use of the transportation overhead is limited to transportation by highway vehicle, and is explained fully in the Transportation Charges section.

Salvage Values

Proper credit is allowed for salvaged crossing warning system materials. Crossing warning system materials removed from service for re-use should be salvaged at 60% of current new price, and when used again, charged out at the same percentage. Material such as relays or other apparatus which must be repaired or rebuilt should be salvaged at 25% of the current new price, and when used again after being repaired, charged out at 75% of current new price.

Injury or Death

No direct charges are to be made for payment of compensation claims for injury or death of railway company employees on a crossing construction or maintenance project.

Discontinuance of Rail Operations

The CTA ceases to apply to any crossings on a railway line once the operation of that line is discontinued pursuant to Division V of the CTA. No maintenance charges are to be billed for crossings located on a line for which the operation have been discontinued. Should a railway company temporarily cease operations, a reduced scheduled maintenance rate may apply to cover the ongoing fixed maintenance costs.

Review

The Agency intends to undertake a comprehensive review of the Guide in 2022. This will include a public consultation on the Agency's approach to establishing the rates.

Railway Company Contacts

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway Company

Non-Freight Billing
BLDG #7, 478 McPhillips Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2X 2G8
Contact Email: Non-Freight_BillingDept@cpr.ca

Canadian National Railway Company

Manager Legislative Affairs
953 de La Gauchetière Street West
Montréal, Quebec
H3B 2M9
Phone: 514-399-5185
Fax: 514-399-4296

Definitions

road
Includes any way or course, whether public or not, available for vehicular or pedestrian use.
road crossing
That part of a road that passes over, under or across a line of railway and includes any structure supporting or protecting that part of the road or facilitating the crossing.
crossing warning systems
An active system consisting of lights, bells and/or gates used at road/railway crossing intersections to warn the public of the presence or approach of rail traffic.
crossing surface
The planking, pavement or other suitable material placed between the rails and to the ends of the ties for the full width of the road crossing. Crossing surface can be made of lumber, asphalt, concrete, rubber, or other elastomeric material.
maintenance
Work which is required to keep an existing facility in its fully functional condition.
unusual weather-related damage
Damage to crossing warning systems due to exceptional forces of nature such as lightning, high winds, extreme temperature and humidity, which are inconsistent with normally expected weather to the local geography.
car mile
One car mile is equal to one mile of track travelled by one freight car. To calculate the total car miles of a train, the number of miles travelled by the train is multiplied by the number of cars on the train.

Other Available Documents

These documents are available on the Agency website, and in alternate formats.

For More Information

Canadian Transportation Agency
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0N9
Telephone: 1-888-222-2592
TTY: 1-800-669-5575
Facsimile: 819-997-6727
E-mail: info@otc-cta.gc.ca
Web site: www.otc-cta.gc.ca

Schedule A: Scheduled Maintenance of Crossing Warning Systems

Type 1: Crossing Warning Systems with Gates

2021/2022 – Standard maintenance rates: labour costs
  Annual labour hours Annual labour rateFootnote 2 Labour costsFootnote 3
Work performed by signal maintainers

72.4042

$71.3387

$5,165

Work performed by track and roadway crew

5.8333

$76.3798

$446

2021/2022 – Standard maintenance rates: material and electricity costs
Material costFootnote 4 Electricity costFootnote 5 Total materialsFootnote 6

$637

$413

$1,050

2021/2022 – Standard maintenance rates: vehicle costs
Vehicle rate per hour Total annual hours Total vehiclesFootnote 7

$15.0642

78.2375

$1,179

2021/2022 – Standard maintenance rates: all costs

Signal maintainers labour costs

$5,165

Track and roadway crew labour costs

$446

Total materials

$1,050

Total vehicles

$1,179

Total annual rateFootnote 8

$7,840

50% of total annual rate

$3,920

Monthly rateFootnote 9

$653

50% of monthly rate

$327

Note: All rates are rounded to the nearest dollar.

Type 2: Crossing Warning Systems Without Gates

2021/2022 – Standard maintenance rates: labour costs
  Annual labour hours Annual labour rateFootnote 10 Labour costsFootnote 11
Work performed by signal maintainers

65.7396

$71.3388

$4,690

Work performed by track and roadway crew

5.8333

$76.3798

$446

Note: All rates are rounded to the nearest dollar.

2021/2022 – Standard maintenance rates: material and electricity costs
Material costFootnote 12 Electricity costFootnote 13 Total materialsFootnote 14

$483

$413

$896

2021/2022 – Standard maintenance rates: vehicle costs
Vehicle rate per hour Total annual hours Total vehiclesFootnote 15

$15.0642

71.5729

$1,078

2019/2020 – Standard maintenance rates: all costs

Signal maintainers labour costs

$4,690

Track and roadway crew labour costs

$446

Total materials

$896

Total vehicles

$1,078

Total annual rateFootnote 16

$7,110

50% of total annual rate

$3,555

Monthly rateFootnote 17

$593

50% of monthly rate

$297

Note: All rates are rounded to the nearest dollar.

Schedule B: Construction, Crossing Surface Maintenance, and Unscheduled Maintenance Overhead Charges — LABOUR

Cost components to be added to employee’s base wage rate to develop labour charges under the general billing guidelines
Unproductive Ratio: Footnote 18 : 29%
Cost component Unscheduled maintenance and Crossing surface maintenance (%) Construction projects (%) - Railway Company Employees Construction projects (%) - Contracted Labour Construction projects (%) - Labour in Contracted Services Transportation (%)Footnote 19

Overhead rate -Administration:

  • track and roadway administration
  • general railway administration

13

13

13

13

13

Overhead rate - Associated costs:

  • office buildings
  • taxes
  • working capital
  • insurance
  • rail communication systems
  • dispatching

7

7

7

7

7

Overhead rate -Employee benefit allowance

43

43

0

0

43

Total overhead rate

63

63

20

20

63

Schedule C: Construction, Crossing Surface Maintenance and Unscheduled Maintenance Overhead Charges — MATERIAL

Cost components of the material overhead rate to be applied to actual material costs under the general billing guidelines
Cost component Unscheduled maintenance and Crossing Surface Maintenance (%) Construction projects (%)

Administration:

  • track and roadway administration
  • general railway administration

12

12

Associated costs:

  • office buildings
  • working capital
  • material stores and shop overheads
  • taxes
  • insurance
  • rail communications systems

3

3

Employee benefit allowance

3

3

Total

18

18

Note: As the Agency cannot identify any material that would be used for the sole purpose of transportation, it has removed the material overhead rate for transportation from Schedule C.

Schedule D: Miscellaneous Charges

Footnote 20

Meals and lodging

Meals and lodging allowance as per each employee’s collective agreement.

Transportation charges

Revenue trains and hi-railers
$0.72 per car mile for each car/vehicle serving the project.
Equipment transported by highway
$0.72 per vehicle mile.
Work Train using one Locomotive and two Freight Cars
$329 per hour for the first 8 hours.
$414 per hour for 9th and subsequent hours.
$150 per hour per additional locomotive.
$5 per hour per additional freight car. Also, hourly rate per freight car for freight cars used as storage.
Trackage charge for work trains or revenue train. Footnote 21
$ 0.42 per car mile.

Contract administration fees

Fees for the administration of contracts.
3% on amounts up to $50,000
2% on amounts of $50,000 up to $100,000
1% on the excess of $100,000

Schedule E: Railway Equipment Rental Rates

Schedule E is comprised of rates developed from data submitted by CP in 2019, which the Agency has indexed for 2021. CN did not submit data related to Schedule E. In cases where the Agency did not receive any equipment data, no daily rate has been indicated.

Parties and CN can agree to use the rates in Schedule E, or can negotiate amongst themselves to determine appropriate rate. The Agency has re-introduced vehicle costs to Schedule E.

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION CP BILLING CODE Daily Rate

POWER TRACK WRENCH

002

$-

SPIKE PULLER, DUAL

008

$263

SPIKER, DUAL

009

$229

ANCHOR ADJUSTER, RAIL

010

$185

ANCHOR APPLICATOR, RAIL

011

$261

ANCHOR REMOVER, DUAL

012

$139

ANCHOR SPREADER, DUAL

013

$200

LIFTER,RAIL

014

$310

PRE-GAUGER, PLATE

015

$53

RAIL HEATERS

017

$111

RAIL HEATER, TUG

077

$99

SPIKER, DUAL/GAUGER

099

$296

CRANE, TIE

102

$246

SCARIFIER, TIE BED

103

$237

DRILL,TIE

105

$196

SPACER, TIE

106

$24

PLUGGER, TIE

108

$543

TIE, REPLACER

110

$302

KRIBBER/ADZER

191

$504

TAMPER

201

$-

TAMPER, SWITCH

204

$441

TAMPER, SWITCH/SURFACE/LINE

206

$771

POWER JACK/SLEWER

208

$-

BALLAST REGULATOR,< 50,000 LBS (S)

211

$207

CRIBBER, BALLAST

212

$48

UNDERCUTTER, SPOT < 40,000 LBS

213

$-

BROOM, BALLAST

214

$74

UNDERCUTTER, PRODUCTION

215

$2,350

TRACK SKELETONIZER

219

$-

STABILIZER, TRACK

220

$622

BRUSHCUTTER, RAILBOUND

301

$-

RAIL SAW, LARGE

303

$14

BLOWER, SNOW/JET/SKID

401

$-

BLOWER, SNOW ATTACHMENT

403

$108

CLEANER, SNOW/SWITCH

404

$201

WHEEL MOUNTED RUBBER TIRE CRANE

501

$149

CRANE, CRAWLER

502

$71

CRANE, RAIL < 20 TON

503

$394

LOADER, WHEEL < 3YD

506

$145

MATERIAL HANDLER, CARTOP JIMBO

507

$807

EXCAVATOR, TRUCK MOUNTED

508

$227

CRANE, SPEEDSWING

510

$248

BACKHOE/LOADER

511

$220

RAILCAR MOVER

601

$317

TRACTOR,UTILITY

603

$55

FORKLIFT

607

$27

GRADER, ROAD

608

$221

RAILCAR MOVER

610

$11

MOTOR CAR

700

$30

BALLAST REGULATOR, > 50,000 LBS/SF (S)

711

$770

PLUCKER, PLATE/DUAL

719

$91

CAR, TIE BUNDLING

801

$8

BALLAST CAR

810

$94

TROLLY MOUNTED FLOOD LIGHT GENERATORS

814

$-

PLUCKER, SPIKE

819

$298

WELDER 400 amp

904

$-

UNDERCUTTER, SPOT > 40,000 LBS

913

$20

PORTABLE Air compressor

N/A

$21

PORTABLE Bear track

N/A

$8

PORTABLE Generator

N/A

$5

PORTABLE Inspection cart

N/A

$10

PORTABLE Oil filter crushers

N/A

$5

PORTABLE Parts washer/steam cleaner

N/A

$67

PORTABLE Power Wrench

N/A

$11

PORTABLE Rail Grinder

N/A

$7

PORTABLE Rail Tensor

N/A

$7

PORTABLE Spike puller

N/A

$15

PORTABLE Tie adzer

N/A

$6

PORTABLE Tie cart

N/A

$10

PORTABLE Tie drill

N/A

$5

PORTABLE Tie plugger

N/A

$19

PORTABLE Tie replacer

N/A

$16

PORTABLE Tie screw lagger

N/A

$6

PORTABLE Trachorse power pack

N/A

$12

PORTABLE Track panel lifter

N/A

$5

PORTABLE Truck hoist

N/A

$15

PORTABLE Welder

N/A

$10

TRAILER

N/A

$63

WHEEL DOLLY

N/A

$11

Vehicle description Daily Rate Leasing

SUV

$35

-

LIGHT VEHICLE Mostly less than 4500 KG Class 1, 2 & 3 with single rear wheels. (1/4 thru to 1 Ton)

-

-

LIGHT VEHICLE Van <1 ton

$29

-

LIGHT VEHICLE < 1 ton Pickup/Truck Hi-rail (Single rear wheel, Basic, Ram 1500, F250, Silverado)

$72

Lease rate

LIGHT VEHICLE < 1 ton Pickup/Truck (Single rear wheel, Basic RAM 1500, F250, Silverado)

$46

Lease rate

LIGHT VEHICLE 1 ton Pickup/Truck Hirail (Single rear wheel, F350, RAM 2500)

$72

Lease rate

LIGHT VEHICLE 1 ton Pickup/Truck (Single rear wheel, F350)

$49

Lease rate

MEDIUM VEHICLE Between 10,001 lbs and 19,501 lbs Class 3, 4 & 5 trucks and must have dual wheels.

-

-

MEDIUM VEHICLE 1 to 2 ton Hi-rail (Dual rear wheel, RAM 4500/5500, F550)

$121

Lease rate

MEDIUM VEHICLE 1 to 2 ton (Dual rear wheel, RAM 4500/5500, F550)

$80

-

HEAVY VEHICLE Between 19,501 lbs and 40,000 lbs Class 6, 7, & 8 trucks with a single rear axle (3 & 5 Tons)

-

-

HEAVY VEHICLE Hirail Bus (44 Passengers)

$126

-

HEAVY VEHICLE Bus (44 Passengers)

$105

-

HEAVY VEHICLE Hi-rail (Mechanics Truck BTMF,F650,F750, 3 and 5 ton)

$196

Lease rate

HEAVY VEHICLE Hi-rail (Thermite Welding Truck, Crane & Tool Circuit, Freightliner, International, 3 and 5 ton)

$216

Lease rate

HEAVY VEHICLE Hi-rail (Mechanics truck BTMF, Freightliner, International, 3 to 5 ton)

$254

Lease rate

HEAVY VEHICLE

$95

-

EXTRA HEAVY VEHICLE > 40,000 lbs Class 8 trucks with dual or more rear axles (10 tons)

-

-

EXTRA HEAVY VEHICLE Hirail (Crew Thermite Welding and Track Maintenance, 10 ton +)

$250

-

EXTRA HEAVY VEHCILE (Delivery Truck, MS Road Repair, 10 ton +)

$169

-

TRAILERS Heavy Equipment (Highway Heavy Equipment Transport)

$173

-

Methodology to apply in calculating operation costs

No overhead is to be applied to the rental rates listed above as overhead is embedded in the rates.

Rental rates do not include the costs of operating equipment. Charges for employees operating equipment, equipment supplies and fuel can be charged in addition to rental rates. These labour charges can include the appropriate statutory and other leave, and supervision and administration overhead (see above).

These rental rates apply for each day of 8 hours that the equipment actually works on a project. When more than 8 hours work is performed on any one day by the rented item, additional rental can be charged computed on the basis of an hourly prorate of the per diem rate.

Date modified: