Category: News
Senators work to halt Trump’s Amtrak cuts after derailments rise in NYC
WASHINGTON – NewJersey.com reported that U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Robert Melendez wrote to the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on transportation, calling on committee leadership to secure federal funding for Amtrak and also for the Amtrak Gateway Project – [...]
House seeks funding for transit security in wake of Russia subway attack
After a subway attack in Russia this week, more than 80 representatives asked House appropriators to make sure that the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) will be fully funded. Lawmakers said TSGP could face deep funding cuts under President Trump’s budget. “We [...]
Local 303 MOW members ratify new five-year contract
SMART Transportation Division-represented Maintenance of Way (MOW) employees of the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (a Genesee Wyoming property) have ratified a five-year contract. General Chairperson Steve Simpson and 1st Vice General Chairperson Scott Chelette ass [...]
Plan to link Alaska and Canada railways back on the table
JUNEAU, Alaska – According to an article posted by the Alaska News Dispatch, former Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski has been appointed by current Gov. Bill Walker as a “special envoy” to revive a decades-long plan to connect Alaska’s and Canada’s fre [...]
Georgia SLD Campbell runs for state Senate
SMART TD Georgia State Legislative Director Matt Campbell is currently running for Georgia’s State Senate, District 32. Campbell is up against seven other candidates. A special election will be held April 18. Campbell has been endorsed by SMART TD, AFL-CIO, IBEW, CWA, T [...]N.D. pipeline – potential for negative impact on rail
The Bismarck Tribune reports that the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline may possibly reduce rail crude transport by 470,000 barrels or more. SMART TD National Legislative Director John Risch told the newspaper that the downturn in oil shipments by rail could negativel [...]
Safety over profit: Act now! Urge Ohio Transportation Committee to support 2-person crew bill!
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The first step in the process to mandate a minimum of two-person freight train crews in Ohio (H.B. 107) occurred Wednesday, March 29, when the Ohio Transportation & Safety Committee held its first hearing on the bill. To make H.B. 107 a law in Ohio, [...]