Transportation News

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Lawyer charged in BLET bribery allegation

The following statement was released Jan. 7 by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Steven M. Dettelbach: “An information has been filed charging Robert L. (Pete) McKinney, age 59, of Houston, Texas, with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in [...]

UTU members approve Nebraska Central pact

UTU Local 367 represented employees of Nebraska Central Railroad, which includes all crafts, have ratified a wage, rules and working conditions agreement with an 80 percent plurality. The five-year agreement provides for a signing bonus, wage increases, a minimum-hours guaran [...]

Senate Banking (Transit) Committee members

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats and Republicans have finalized appointments to the Senate Banking Committee, which is responsible for legislation affecting mass transit. Committee chairman is Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.).  Democrats: Tim Johnson (S.D.), chairmanDaniel Akaka [...]

Senate Labor Committee members

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats and Republicans have finalized appointments to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Legislation affecting retirement, labor law and workplace issues are under the initial jurisdiction of this committee, which is chair [...]

Senate Commerce Committee members

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats and Republicans have finalized appointments to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Most transportation legislation moving through the Senate affecting air, bus and rail safety and economic regulation is under the init [...]

Ethanol cars derail, burn with fireball in Ohio

ARCADIA, Ohio — A Norfolk Southern train carrying 62 tank cars of denatured ethanol derailed here early Feb. 6, with many catching fire and creating what was described as a “huge fireball that could be seen for up to 15 miles.” No injuries were reported to t [...]

A crude romance reblossoms on rails

John D. Rockefeller and partner Henry Flagler made quite a fortune during the 19th century transporting crude oil by rail from Pennsylvania to Cleveland for refining, and then shipping the refined product via rail to consuming markets. Flagler later used his portion of the fo [...]

This is the season — for deadly yard accidents

It’s winter — the three months of the year during which a significant number of yard fatalities and career-ending injuries occur. The FRA says risk is concentrated in cold-weather states, but those in warmer climates are not immune, because darkness is a factor al [...]

BNSF conductor loses leg in yard accident

WILLMAR, Minn. — A 31-year old BNSF conductor , a UTU Local 1177 member, suffered a leg amputation in a yard accident here Feb. 3 — the second UTU member to endure such an accident in 2011. Corey Lynn Kluver, the father of three young children, reportedly was maki [...]

Making bus voices heard in Washington

By Bonnie MorrAlternate Vice President, Bus Department The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking comments on proposed new rules affecting drivers of commercial motor vehicles, which includes bus operators. The rules cover revocation or disqualificatio [...]