Category: News
FTA issues final rule on safety program
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued the final rule for the Public Transportation Safety Program that establishes procedural rules for FTA to administer a comprehensive safety program to improve the safety of federally-funded public transportation systems. The fina [...]
EEOC orders Amtrak to pay $112k for discrimination
Federal Agency Charged Railroad Company Refused to Hire Qualified Machinist Due to Epilepsy SEATTLE — The Washington, D.C.-based National Passenger Railroad Corporation, better known as Amtrak, will pay $112,000 and provide other relief to settle a federal disability di [...]MTA’s subway plan to create thousands of jobs
Railway Age reported that the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released a request for proposals (RFP) for the upcoming purchase of 940 subway cars worth an estimated $3.2 billion. The MTA’s inclusion of the U.S. Employment Plan in this latest purchas [...]SMART TD NJT workers ratify contract
We are pleased to announce that SMART TD members on New Jersey Transit have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. Steve Burkert, SMART TD general chairperson; and Doyle Turner, SMART TD vice president; led the fight for a fair and equitable agreement while withstand [...]
STB issues two decisions in passenger rail proceedings
The Surface Transportation Board released two decisions related to its oversight of Amtrak’s operations under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA). First, the Board decided that it would consider on-time arrival and departure at all stations along [...]
SMART TD welcomes new members to Local 202
On April 15, employees of Denver Transit Operators (DTO) voted to join SMART TD Local 202 at Denver. This vote adds 51 engineers to the local, with growth to a possible 75. Local 202 Secretary Jeff Maxfield said, “We are proud to represent the operators at DTO and look forwar [...]
Two-person crew issue has railroads, regulators at odds
The Columbus Dispatch reported that the issue of crew consist has railroads at odds with federal regulators. This comes after the Federal Railroad Administration announced a proposed rule earlier this year requiring two-person crews on trains. Standing with the FRA, and this [...]
Man hit by train, saved by member
In a heroic show of foresight and bravery, SMART Transportation Division Vice Local Chairperson Rob Forrest (Local 202 at Denver) saved the life of a pedestrian Wednesday, July 20. Forrest, who – according to SMART TD Colorado State Legislative Director Carl Smith ̵ [...]