Category: News
FRA issues national trespass prevention strategy
WASHINGTON – The U.S Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued to Congress the first National Strategy to Prevent Trespassing on Railroad Property. The report examines the causal factors that contribute to trespassing incidents on rai [...]Capital expenditures for U.S. Class I’s largely flat for 2019
Capital expenditures in 2019 will largely remain flat from the previous year for five of seven U.S. Class I railroads, according to financial reports released by the carriers. BNSF spent $3.4 billion in 2018 and is one of two carriers that plan to increase capital expenditure [...]
RRB announces spring schedule of pre-retirement seminars
If you are thinking of retiring within the next five years, you may want to consider attending a pre-retirement seminar hosted by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Designed for railroad employees and spouses planning to retire, the pre-retirement seminars the RRB offers fa [...]
SMART TD supports bill to protect bus, transit operators
SMART Transportation Division leaders support the Transit Worker and Pedestrian Protection Act (H.R.1139) introduced by U.S. Reps. Grace F. Napolitano (D – Calif.) and Congressman John Katko (R – New York) on Feb. 11 that would make the workplace safer for bus ope [...]
Md. representatives hear two-person crew bill
A mobilization of SMART members urging the passage of a state two-person crew bill in Maryland made their voices heard on Thursday (Feb. 7). The bill, which requires two crew members on freight rail trains, was introduced by Delegate Dana Stein, who represents Maryland’ [...]
Colo. two-person crew bill advances to state Senate
The state of Colorado is one step closer to having a two-person crew law on the books. After a third reading of House Bill 1034 (HB19-1034), a vote was taken on the house floor Feb. 5, and the bill passed with a vote of 39 – 23. “We are glad the Colorado House of Representati [...]Retirees: Stock tax refunds could cause reduction in your monthly annuity
In a recent decision (Wisconsin Central Ltd., et al v. United States), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that non-qualified stock options granted to railroad employees are not considered compensation under the Railroad Retirement Tax Act of 1937, and are, therefore, not subject to [...]Nevada survey respondents overwhelmingly support two-person crew legislation
Survey results released by SMART Transportation Division’s Nevada State Legislative Board today show that voters in the state overwhelmingly side with the passage of regulations that require freight trains to be operated by crews consisting of a minimum of two people. After b [...]