Category: Amtrak/Commuter News
The outcome of this election will affect your job
By John Risch, SMART TD National Legislative Director For those of you who don’t know me, I’m honored to serve as your elected National Legislative Director. I came from the ranks, starting in the track department on the Burlington Northern and went into train service, spendi [...]
SMART TD, TTD comment on FRA NPRM
Proposed rule: “Competitive Passenger Rail Service Pilot Program” The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register August 22. This proposed rulemaking from the FRA is a direct result of Section 1130 [...]
Happy Labor Day from SMART TD
SMART Transportation Division wishes everyone a happy Labor Day. Read below to learn about the history of Labor Day. Department of Labor on the history of Labor Day Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the so [...]Amtrak invests $2.4 billion for high-speed rail and infrastructure upgrades
New trainsets to enter service in 2021; Station upgrades and improvements for track capacity and ride quality among infrastructure upgrades WASHINGTON – Amtrak is contracting with Alstom to produce 28 next-generation high-speed trainsets that will replace the equipment used t [...]
New England State Legislative Board meets with Sen. Warren
SMART TD State Legislative Director of the New England States, George Casey, reports that he and Assistant State Legislative Director Chris Weldon attended a presentation given by Senator Elizabeth Warren (Mass. – D) that focused on “America’s Agenda.” [...]
FTA issues final rule on safety program
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued the final rule for the Public Transportation Safety Program that establishes procedural rules for FTA to administer a comprehensive safety program to improve the safety of federally-funded public transportation systems. The fina [...]
EEOC orders Amtrak to pay $112k for discrimination
Federal Agency Charged Railroad Company Refused to Hire Qualified Machinist Due to Epilepsy SEATTLE — The Washington, D.C.-based National Passenger Railroad Corporation, better known as Amtrak, will pay $112,000 and provide other relief to settle a federal disability di [...]SMART TD NJT workers ratify contract
We are pleased to announce that SMART TD members on New Jersey Transit have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. Steve Burkert, SMART TD general chairperson; and Doyle Turner, SMART TD vice president; led the fight for a fair and equitable agreement while withstand [...]