BOCA RATON, Fla. & KINGMAN, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Patriot Rail Corp. (“Patriot”), a short line and regional freight railroad holding company, and the Kingman Airport Authority, Inc. today announced that Patriot’s newly-formed rail subsidiary, Kingman Terminal Railroad (“KGTR”), has been awarded a long-term license agreement to provide rail operating services to customers at the Kingman Airport & Industrial Park (“the Park”) located in Mohave County, Arizona.
Kingman Airport & Industrial Park, owned by the City of Kingman and managed by the Kingman Airport Authority, is a 4,000 acre industrial park strategically located in northwest Arizona along historic Route 66, midway between Las Vegas and Phoenix. The Park is home to more than 80 businesses employing over 2,000 people, and also has its own airport with a 6,830 foot runway. There are approximately 33 million people within a 350-mile radius of the Park.
Patriot’s agreement, which was executed on April 20, 2012, provides KGTR with the rights to operate, maintain trackage and serve rail customers within the Park for up to 22 years. The KGTR, which will interchange traffic with Class I rail carrier Burlington Northern Santa Fe (“BNSF”), expects to commence service this summer.
David French, Kingman Airport Authority’s Executive Director, said, “We are pleased to announce our new relationship with Patriot’s Kingman Terminal Railroad. Patriot was chosen unanimously by the selection committee for the rail operation, primarily due to its ability to increase carloads and grow the rail business. This is attractive to both the Park and The City of Kingman, as the local economy is invigorated and new jobs should be created. In addition, Patriot’s strong relationship with BNSF should allow for a seamless transition to new rail provider for customers in the Park.”
Gary O. Marino, Chairman, President and CEO of Patriot Rail Corp., stated, “Patriot is excited to add this new railroad to its railroad portfolio and we are anxious to not only serve the existing customers in the Park, but we also expect to add a number of new customers to this excellent facility. Through the cooperative marketing efforts of Patriot and business development activities of Kingman Airport Authority, we expect to significantly increase commercial activity in the Kingman region.”
Patriot Rail Corp. is a short line and regional freight railroad holding company based in Boca Raton, Florida. Including KGTR, Patriot Rail currently owns and operates 13 short line freight railroads comprising approximately 500 total rail miles in 13 states. For more information on Patriot Rail Corp., contact Wayne August at (561) 443-5300 or visit us at www.patriotrail.com.