Transportation News

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

TTD AGENDA FOCUSES ON JOB CREATION, SAFETY AND APPROPRIATIONS

FEB 22, 2016 NEWS AND MEDIA, PRESS RELEASES SAN DIEGO, CA — Transportation unions took aim at critical transportation appropriations battles pending in Washington and continued preparations to show their members and the public the stark choices voters will face in the preside [...]

RRB announces 2016 conference schedule

The Railroad Retirement Board has announced the locations and dates of their informational conferences for Spring 2016. All conference registrations begin at 8:00 a.m., with the programs beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 12:15 p.m. These informational conferences are benef [...]

Biden: Union Depot reflects path to recovery

Yesterday, Vice President Joe Biden visited Union Depot in St. Paul, Minn., and cited the renewed transit hub as an example of how federal investment in rail infrastructure has sparked growth since the economic collapse of 2009. Read the entire article from the Star Tribune, here.

As strike looms, General Chairperson optimistic for deal

In an article published by the Asbury Park Press, SMART TD General Chairperson (GCA 610) Steve Burkert said that he is still hopeful that a deal will be struck between New Jersey Transit (NJT) and the Rail Labor Coalition. NJT and the Rail Labor Coalition have already had two [...]

Rockland Coaches to get 64 new buses

Lohud: The Journal News reports that Rockland Coaches is set to receive 64 new buses for its Red and Tan Line, paid for by New Jersey Transit. Each new bus will hold 57 passengers and feature wireless internet. “The upgrade is fantastic news to us. I’m sure the ri [...]

Silver Spring Amtrak crash remembered, 20 years later

Washington’s Top News reported on two firefighters’ recollections of the fatal collision between a commuter train and an Amtrak train in Silver Spring, Maryland 20 years ago. Eleven people lost their lives in the crash. Read the entire story here.

GOP proposes devolution of rail law

In a letter to the editor and published by The Hill, AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD) President Edward Wytkind warns that GOP presidential candidates want to devolutionize laws governing freight and passenger rail in the U.S. The candidates are in support of der [...]

TTD: Congress should endorse Amtrak funding

Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issued the following statement in response to Amtrak’s 2017 General and Legislative Annual Report: “Amtrak has submitted a funding request for FY2017 that gives our national passenger railroad a [...]

Great Lakes to provide flights to Salina, Kan.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected Great Lakes Airlines to provide Essential Air Service Program flights from the Salina Regional Airport to the Denver International Airport. Great Lakes will provide Salina area residents and businesses with nonstop service in [...]

Do you want more passenger rail service in Alabama?

By John Previsich, president of SMART Transportation Division and Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (www.ttd.org). Alabamians sure love their college football, but what we’ve just recently learned is that they also like their pas [...]