Transportation News

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

Faster trains propel economy and middle class forward

Note: This is the second piece in a series that explores the connection between a robust transportation system and a stronger middle class. Read the first piece which sets the tone for a much needed national conversation. Around the globe, the race is on to bring the world [...]

Feinberg tells railroads: 'No more breaks on PTC'

The nation’s rail safety chief told a group of railroad officials she expects them to complete a long-delayed collision-avoidance system by the end of 2018 and to not count on Congress to give them an additional reprieve. Recent legislation approved by Congress and signed by [...]

SMART TD’s New DLC Coordinator

Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) Anthony Petru has been chosen as coordinator of the DLC Program. Petru replaces long-time DLC member and Coordinator Steve Young, who retired earlier this autumn. Petru is a long-time DLC with years of experience in the rail industry. He graduat [...]

Great Lakes plans flight changes

PRESCOTT, Ariz. – The Denver flight connection that made a brief return to the Prescott Airport this past summer will go away again, effective Dec. 2. Great Lakes Airlines plans to eliminate its connection between Prescott and Denver next month, and replace it with a tw [...]

Medicare Part B premiums for 2016

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that the standard monthly Part B premium will be $121.80 in 2016. However, most Medicare beneficiaries will not see an increase in their monthly Part B premiums because of a “hold harmless” provision in the law. U [...]

Former associate DLC John Naughton dies

John J. Naughton, former associate designated legal counsel of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and United Transportation Union, died Oct. 29, 2015. Naughton fought for the rights of railroad and other transportation workers as an employee of the former firm of Henslee, M [...]

U.S. transit bolsters security in wake of Paris attacks

Following last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris that left 129 dead and hundreds of others wounded, U.S. transit agencies have stepped up security measures. Among agencies that announced tighter security yesterday is the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (W [...]

Amtrak adds Chicago-Michigan trains for holiday travel

There’s no place like home for the holidays, so Amtrak is offering 10 extra trains for Thanksgiving on the Chicago-Michigan corridor. The rail service will add an extra train in each direction Wednesday, Nov. 25, Saturday, Nov. 28, and Sunday, Nov. 29 on the Chicago-Ann [...]

New incentive program for Great Lakes Airline pilots

Following discussions with Transportation Division representatives of the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union (SMART TD), Great Lakes Airlines has agreed to implement a Captain Incentive Plan (CIP); an annual calendar year program which pays a cash incenti [...]

Rule prohibiting driver coercion clears White House

A congressionally mandated regulation to prevent coercing drivers from violating the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations is close to becoming reality. The final rule was cleared by the White House Office of Management and Budget on Thursday, Nov. 12. The regulation has b [...]