Category: Amtrak
COVID-19: Emotional support services available to all
Watch a primer video about COVID-19 United Behavioral Health/Optum offer a free emotional support help line. The help line is available 24/7 and open to the public for as long as necessary, providing access to specially trained mental health specialists to help people manage [...]
TTD unions release principles for combating the COVID-19 health crisis
The AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, of which SMART Transportation Division is a member, released the following on March 18, 2020: The people who build, operate and maintain our nation’s transportation systems are struggling, as are most Americans, with the scope and [...]
TD President’s statement regarding COVID-19
MEMORANDUM Officers and Staff SMART Transportation Division Dear Brothers and Sisters: As the COVID-19 continues to impact our country and its day-to-day operations, I have received a number of inquiries concerning travel and day-to-day business for union officers and staff. [...]
Rail unions urge FRA to act regarding spread of coronavirus
CLEVELAND, Ohio (March 6) — SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) jointly petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on March 6 to take action in responding to the rapidly spreading COVID-19 (coronav [...]
NTSB member displeased FRA omitted fatigue in risk-reduction rule
Jennifer Homendy, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) final rule for Class I railroads and certain smaller railroads to establish risk-reduction safety plans issued Feb. 18 falls well short of the in [...]UPDATED: RRB announces pre-retirement seminar schedule from spring through fall 2020
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced its schedule of pre-retirement seminars for the spring through the fall of 2020. The RRB hosts these seminars for rail employees and spouses who are within five years of retirement. Registration is required to ensure accommoda [...]Trump budget proposal cuts Amtrak, FRA and shorts RRB
If approved as-is, a federal budget proposal for the 2021 fiscal year released Monday, Feb. 10, by President Donald Trump would reduce funding for Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and underfund the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Amtrak, the national passeng [...]
AP report: Shooting on bus in Calif. exposes soft spots in ground transport security
A shooting aboard a Greyhound bus traveling between Los Angeles and San Francisco shows how passenger and operator security for ground transportation is more vulnerable when compared to air travel, The Associated Press reported. One passenger lost her life and five other peop [...]