CSX Corp. is partnering with an India-based company to outsource some of its information technology services, affecting 137 jobs.
The Jacksonville-based company said July 6 in an emailed statement that Tata Consultancy Services is providing operation, maintenance and support services for CSX IT systems.
“As a result of this change, 137 CSX technology employees in maintenance and support roles will be transitioning from CSX employment and many impacted employees have an opportunity to join TCS and continue to provide support services to our company,” it said.
TCS, with 592,000 employees in 46 countries, is a subsidiary of Mumbai-based Tata Group.
CSX said it decided to partner with an IT company to keep up with advances in technology.
“This strategic decision will ensure CSX remains a transportation industry leader in both technology performance and innovation, as we pursue our goals for safety, service, reliability and business growth,” it said.
The company said the transition began in mid-April and is being phased in over four to six months.
CSX brought in new leadership for its technology services in April.
The company announced April 1 the hiring of Steve Fortune, former chief information officer of BP Group, as executive vice president and chief digital and technology.
CSX said in a news release Fortune would focus on “harnessing transformative technologies to unlock growth and enable continued efficiency across the business.”
Although it is eliminating some technology jobs, CSX has been seeking to increase staff on its trains over the past two years after several years of downsizing.
The company has struggled to maintain sufficient crew size for its trains, finding it difficult to attract new applicants after the coronavirus pandemic.
The company’s latest monthly report filed with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board showed 7,046 train and engine employees at the end of May, up from 6,795 at the end of 2021.
CSX’s most recent quarterly report showed 20,866 total employees as of March 31, up from 20,685 as of Dec. 31.