Transportation News

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SOFA releases injury tally for May

A monthly report from the Switching Operations Fatality Analysis (SOFA) Working Group reported six severe injuries to railroad workers during May 2018, including one amputation. SOFA Working Group defines a severe injury as FRA-reportable injuries to train and engine service [...]

Senate approves amendment to maintain Southwest Chief

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran’s (R – Kan.) and Tom Udall’s (D – N.M.) amendment to maintain Amtrak train services along the established, long-distance passenger rail route of the Southwest Chief, #3665, was included in the 2018 Transportation, Housing and [...]

Railroads release 2nd quarter earnings reports

Net Earnings: Increased 27 percent to C$1,310 million; diluted earnings per share increased 30 percent to C$1.77 Revenue: Increased 9 percent to C$3,631 million Operating Income: Increased 7 percent to C$1,519 million Operating Ratio: Increased 0.7 points to 58.2 percent (wor [...]

Public, politicians concerned over Amtrak’s planned cuts to service

The public and members of Congress have been vocal in their displeasure with Amtrak’s announcements of cuts and planned cuts to service, including replacement of dining car service with boxed lunches on some routes, de-staffing 15 train stations around the country that [...]

Senate confirms two to NTSB

The U.S. Senate confirmed two members to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on July 24. General aviation safety advocate Bruce Landsberg was confirmed as vice-chairman of the NTSB and transportation veteran Jennifer Homendy was confirmed to fill an empty board se [...]

VP Lesniewski retires; Leonard elevated to vice president position

John Lesniewski, vice president and successor president of the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, has retired, effective July 1, 2018. Lesniewski, a member of Chicago Local 1534, started his railroad c [...]

Second workers’ summit being held in Nebraska on Aug. 3

The success of an initial workers summit held in the spring is leading to a second meeting to be held Aug. 3, reports Terry Sigler, a retired legislative representative of SMART TD Local 286 in North Platte, Neb. Sigler said an April 6 meeting he organized drew about 100 memb [...]

FTA issues final rules on safety management, safety certification

A pair of final regulations were issued by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in July that rounded out the National Public Transportation Safety Program’s regulatory framework. The Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan rule, taking effect July 19, 2019, requires tran [...]