Category: Alumni Association
Trump budget could end Amtrak service in many states, including North Dakota, Minnesota
The BismarckTribune.com reported that if the Trump budget passes, the effect on commuter rail will be serious, as Amtrak services could cease in numerous states, including North Dakota and Minnesota. ‘“It’s ironic that President Trump’s first budget proposal undermines [...]
Rail ‘crew hauler’ safety measures expected to become law in state of Washington
On March 23, 2011, SMART TD member Dwight Hauck nearly died in a horrific crew transport van-train collision in a Kelso, Washington, rail yard that killed two other passengers and the driver. Hauck suffered permanent, debilitating injuries as a result of the crash. The incide [...]
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 – [...]Editorial: ‘Fast trains will not just show up at the station’ by Edward Wytkind, Pres., TTD, AFL-CIO
Click here to read an editorial by Edward Wytkind, President, Transportation Trades Department (TTD), AFL-CIO, on the significance of federal support and investment in high-speed commuter rail. The editorial was posted March 30, 2017, by Medium.com.Mexican company announces deal to acquire Florida East Coast Railway
MEXICO CITY, Mexico – The Railway Gazette reported that Grupo México announced that its transportation division – México Transportes (GMXT) – reached an agreement to acquire Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) from Fortress Investment Group. The announcement wa [...]Trump’s budget would end Amtrak’s long-distance service
President Trump’s 2018 proposed budget seeks to cut federal funding for Amtrak’s long-distance train services, which would end coast-to-coast commuter rail services and would kill regional and long-distance services, including the following popular commuter rail r [...]
SMART TD’s Risch – DC Roundtable on Emerging Railroad Technologies
WASHINGTON – John Risch, SMART TD National Legislative Director, participated in hearings as a member of the Roundtable on Emerging Railroad Technologies on March 21, 2017. Discussion focused on new and emerging trends in railroad safety including train crew size, recen [...]
Maryland House passes two-person crew bill
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – On March 17, the Maryland House of Representatives voted in favor of HB 381, a measure that would require at least two crew members on all freight trains operating in the state of Maryland. The bi-partisan bill has moved to the Senate finance committee. [...]