Transportation News

Visit the digital archive of the SMART-TD News (PDFs)

Previsich, Risch speak at San Antonio Regional Meeting

Q&A with SMART TD President Previsich at San Antonio Regional Meeting, June 14, 2017 SMART TD President John Previsich answers members’ questions during the closing session.     SMART TD President Previsich honors retiree Ken Menges at San Antonio Regional [...]

RRB issues Certificate of Service Months and Compensation form

Each year, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) prepares a Certificate of Service Months and Compensation (Form BA-6) for every railroad employee who had creditable railroad compensation in the previous calendar year. The RRB will mail the forms to employees during the fi [...]

Member hit and killed by train

Local 29 member Michael Gregory Ollek, 51, was tragically killed by an oncoming LIRR train while doing track work for the railroad, June 10. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident. Ollek served in the Marine Corps as a staff sergeant stationed [...]

Fund Set Up to Assist Family of Long Island Member

Michael Gregory Olleck, a long time SMART TD member  lost his life on June 10th, 2017 while at work.   Mike enlisted in the United States Marine Corps soon after high school. He then worked for the LIRR for 17 years first as a trackman and then as a track foreman.  He lost hi [...]

Nev. governor vetoes two-person crews

Although both the Nevada Senate and House approved S.B. 427 – the state’s two-person crew bill – Republican Governor Brian Sandoval vetoed the measure June 8. Click here to read Sandoval’s veto letter.

GP Sellers: Addressing SMART TD member questions and concerns

General President Joseph Sellers Jr. recently met with SMART TD general chairpersons at the SMART TD Western General Chairperson’s Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Click here to watch a video of GP Sellers addressing the issues SMART TD members face.

N.D. draft rail plan to increase freight traffic

BISMARCK, N.D. — The Planning and Rail Section of the North Dakota DOT (NDDOT) has a draft rail plan that they believe will grow freight rail in the state. The plan focuses on crossing safety, safe transportation of HazMat, passenger rail service and improvements to inf [...]

A solution to get our nation back on track: electric trains

In an article published June 5 on Resilience.org, activist Bill Moyer outlined his case for investment in high speed electric rail, and is leading an effort in his home state of Washington to lobby for this mode of  transportation that has existed in Europe and Asia for decad [...]

Bus operator assaults on the rise in Spokane, Wash.

According to a story by The Spokesman-Review, bus operators employed by the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) in Spokane, Wash., have seen an increase of assaults by riders. According to the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1015, which represents the STA operators, there’s [...]