Transportation News

Visit the digital archive of the SMART-TD News (PDFs)

Snipers test bulletproof barriers for SEPTA: SMART-TD was there

A new type of glare-resistant, bulletproof barrier has been installed in eight SEPTA buses, and SMART-TD got a live, in-person look at the most recent round of testing. Read on to see the results and learn what this means for transit workers across the country.

UPDATE: Arrangements Announced for Brother Dan Bonawitz’s Celebration of Life

UPDATE: Arrangements announced for the Celebration of Life for 2023 SMART-TD Man of the Year, Dan Bonawitz (Local 1409 Kansas City, Kansas). We mourn the loss of Dan Bonawitz, a dedicated union brother who spent nearly two decades fighting for workers' rights, safety, and equality. His tireless advocacy has left an impactful legacy within the SMART-TD community.

BTAPS expands safety push to all 50 states with new legislative tech

SMART-TD prepares for best-of-class safety legislation with a new tool that allows the union to remix existing laws into new bills. Read on to learn how the new bill tracker will help the Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) Committee create safer workplaces from coast to coast.

Rail Safety Battle Continues in Colorado Legislature

Last year, the Office of Rail Safety was created in Colorado. Now, SMART-TD is pressing for a new law to ensure the office is funded so that it can do the job it was created for: making sure Colorado railroaders and the communities they serve are safe. Read on to learn why the original bill was passed without teeth and how our new bill aims to fix that.

A Century of Labor History for the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters  

2025 marks 100 years since the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) was founded, the first African American labor union in the United States. As we wrap up Black History Month, SMART-TD is proud to share the story of these trailblazers who left a powerful legacy that still impacts our members today.

CSX Threatens Engineers’ Jobs with New “Zero-Zero” Autopilot Technology 

SMART-TD is raising concerns over CSX's petition to use a new Trip Optimizer Air Brake Control system, which will control freight train operations from start to stop. While CSX claims the system will reduce fuel consumption and emissions, SMART-TD believes these claims are little more than a smokescreen for CSX’s true intentions. Read on to find out what they really want and what we can do to stop them.