Category: Amtrak/Commuter News
Crew van bill becomes law in Wash. state
After a prolonged five-year battle against the railroad carriers’ opposition to legislation to ensure the safety of their own employees; ESHB 1105, the number one priority of the SMART TD Washington State Legislative Board, was finally enacted into statute law May 16, w [...]
SMART TD Regional Meetings coming Up: Educate—Organize—Mobilize!
The SMART TD annual Regional Meeting in San Antonio is coming up soon – reserve your spot now! Click here to reserve online and for additional information. Educate—Organize—Mobilize! This is the theme for SMART Transportation Division’s upcoming regional meetings, to be held [...]Amtrak engineer faces criminal charges in 2015 Philadelphia crash
NPR.org recently reported that Brandon Bostian is facing eight counts of involuntary manslaughter, one count of causing or risking a catastrophe and several counts of reckless endangerment – for the 2015 Amtrak crash near Philadelphia. Bostian, an experienced train engi [...]Railroaders – Tips on sleeping well, despite grueling schedule
Employees of the railroad are no strangers to working long hours and ever-changing shifts. Despite these challenges, rail workers are expected to maintain healthy sleep habits. Click here to learn more about sleep management with RailroadersSleep.org’s, “Smart Sl [...]“Women of Steel” exhibit showcases women trailblazers of the railroad
The Union Pacific Museum recently opened the “Women of Steel” exhibit that honors and highlights the history and achievements of the unsung women trailblazers in one of the few industries still dominated by men – the rail industry. The exhibit will run at th [...]
Derailment in Idaho may block highway for weeks
The Idaho Statesman reported that work is still underway, and will be for quite awhile, in clearing 25 BNSF freight cars that derailed last week on a stretch of U.S. 95, near Lake Cocolalla, Idaho. Officials from the Idaho Transportation Department told the press that it may [...]SMART TD opposes anti-worker bill that would gut overtime protections
Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed an anti-worker bill misguidedly labeled as the “Working Families Flexibility Act” (H.R. 1180). This harmful legislation would let employers give workers paid time off instead of being required to pay one and a half times [...]Bipartisan Congress votes to rescue transportation funding from Trump’s chopping block
May 4, 2017 WASHINGTON—In the strongest bi-partisan moves since President Trump’s election, Congress passed a spending agreement called an omnibus that is in stark contrast to President Trump’s 2018 budget – in which he proposed that transportation funds be slashed by t [...]