Category: Two-person crews
Two-person crew effort advances in Virginia
Rail safety legislation championed by the SMART Transportation Division’s Virginia State Legislative Board is on the cusp of landing on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk. The Virginia House on Wednesday followed the lead of the state’s Senate earlier passage of the two-person crew b [...]
Two-person crew progress in Nebraska and New Mexico
In 2023, SMART-TD’s state legislative boards and our National Legislative Department made tremendous progress making two-person crews the law of the land in multiple states across the country. Less than a month into 2024, Nebraska and New Mexico are carrying this momentum int [...]
FRA issues final rule requiring emergency breathing apparatuses in hazmat trains
WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced a final rule to improve employee safety on freight trains transporting hazardous materials. The rule requires railroads to provide emergency escape breathing apparatuses (EEBAs) for train crew members and [...]Victory in the Empire State: N.Y. two-person crew bill signed
Given a second chance to act, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has chosen to side with safety. In late 2022, a bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains in the state reached her desk and she vetoed it. But something changed this year — perhaps it was seeing legislatures and [...]
2-PC ERA BEGINS IN KANSAS!
Updated comment from Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo: “I want to thank everyone involved; this was a team effort. And what an honor to have Vice President Brent Leonard and National State Legislative Director Greg Hynes in attendance during the si [...]
When technology failed, our NS members rose up during outage
On August 28, the Norfolk Southern rail network’s technological infrastructure failed. Crews couldn’t print off their pre-departure paperwork at the terminals. No one was able to report their hours of service. Many were unable to verify the consists of their trains. Emails we [...]
Kansas secures two-person crews as the law of the land
Making two-person crews the rule of the land in the state of Kansas took an atypical route to the finish line but got there just the same. It has been the goal of SMART Transportation Division Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo for years and it was finally achieved. [...]
UP exec’s description of new position lacked precision
A confusing scenario has played out in the Midwest this week involving the Union Pacific Railroad and its intention to create a new position in Kansas and Nebraska. The truth of the matter is that UP is creating new positions; however, the positions being created are in addit [...]