Transportation News

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

Gov. Cuomo unveils proposed LIRR expansion

Railway Age reported that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently unveiled a proposal for major expansion and improvement of the Long Island Rail Road.  Read the complete article here.

Tri-Rail train hits truck

WPTV.com reported that a Tri-Rail train hit a garbage truck Monday morning, Jan. 4, in Lake Worth, Fla.  More than twenty passengers were injured in the collision. Read the complete article here.

Are school buses safer with seat belts?

In an article published Dec. 27, The Advocate speculates whether or not school buses would be safer with seat belts. Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that school buses could be safer with the addition of safety belts. The agency h [...]

SMART TD members ratify agreement with NY MTA

On December 16, 2015, members of SMART Transportation Division’s Local 1440 (Staten Island, N.Y.) ratified a tentative agreement with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY MTA). The ratified agreement includes a 15.88 percent pay increase with retroactive pay [...]

Obama delays tax on high-cost group health plans

The Portland Business Journal reported that President Obama has signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 into law. This officially delays the 40 percent excise tax on group health plans. Unions and other organizations that provide strong benefit packages for members w [...]

2016 Omnibus Amtrak funding bill

Congress must do better for passenger rail and roadway safety By John Previsich, President, SMART Transportation Division While we look favorably on efforts made by members of congress to implement stronger and more wide-spread transportation policy upgrades – including incre [...]

Amtrak activates PTC, SEPTA not far behind

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Amtrak activated its Positive Train Control system (PTC) this past weekend from Philadelphia to Washington. SEPTA has reported they are not far behind and will have PTC online sometime in the new year. Since the Federal Railroad Administ [...]

SMART leads protest, sparks investigation in L.A.

On Tuesday, December 1, SMART members from sheet metal and transportation locals in Los Angeles joined their brothers and sisters in the Jobs to Move America coalition to lead the protest outside the headquarters of BYD Motors, Inc. – a Chinese-owned electric bus company that [...]

Minn. Board to hold meeting Monday for furloughed members

The Minnesota State Legislative Board is hosting a meeting Monday, December 21, 2015, in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Education and Economic Development (MN DEED). The meeting will be held at the South St. Paul VFW 295, 111 Exchange St., St. Paul, from 5:00 pm [...]