Transportation News

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

SMART GO 505 prepares to strike LIRR

Following the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Jan. 15 announcement that it is rejecting a proposed series of wage increases for unionized employees on the Long Island Rail Road, SMART Transportation Division General Committee of Adjustment GO 505 has signaled [...]

Review of rulings against Calif. hi-speed rail ordered

SAN FRANCISCO – The California Supreme Court ordered an appeals court Wednesday to undertake a fast-track review of two rulings that could disrupt financing of the voter-approved bullet train. In a brief order signed by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the state high court [...]

FCC to revive PTC effort stalled by tribal reviews

Regulators proposed a streamlined process for American Indian tribes to complete reviews that railroads have said make it difficult to meet deadlines for finishing the biggest rail-safety project in U.S. history. Tribes would get less time to review, for historic significance [...]

Rail alone can't reinvent Los Angeles

With the Crenshaw/LAX light-rail line groundbreaking last week, Los Angeles now has three rail transit projects under construction — an example of how the city is leading the country in a rail renaissance. The “city that destroyed cities,” as GQ recently described [...]

Flight 3407 families call out regional airlines

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Less than three weeks from the five year anniversary of the tragic and preventable crash of Continental (now United Airlines) Flight 3407 operated by regional carrier Colgan Air, the “Families of Continental Flight 3407” railed at recent complaints by aviation [...]

Stem: FMCSA Denies Bus Company’s CDL Exemption

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has denied an application by motorcoach tours company Miami Nice Tours to operate bus tours in the United States by drivers who would be exempt from the commercial driver’s license (CDL) provisions of part 383 of the Federal Mot [...]

Rep. Rahall Says Unions Good For Business

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall told West Virginia union leaders on Tuesday that people who believe cheaper, non-union labor is good for American business are “short-sighted.” “Union labor also helps increase corporate America’s bottom lin [...]

Stem: FMCSA denies bus company's CDL exemption

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has denied an application by motorcoach tours company Miami Nice Tours to operate bus tours in the United States by drivers who would be exempt from the commercial driver’s license (CDL) provisions of part 383 of the Federal Mot [...]

Addition of new members brings additional responsibility

I hope this edition of the SMART Transportation Division News finds that all our members enjoyed a safe and happy holiday season. The SMART TD has been successful in recent organizing campaigns, adding new members to our union in general, and the bus department in particular. [...]

When Railroad Medicare pays first or second

When Medicare began in the 1960s, it was the primary payer for all services except those covered by workers compensation. In 1980, Congress enacted provisions to shift costs from the Medicare program to private insurers, when possible. This legislation stopped Medicare from m [...]