Transportation News

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2019 UTUIA scholarship deadline is March 31

  This year, UTUIA has committed once again to supporting the children and grandchildren of our members by continuing to offer 50 four-year college scholarships and 50 two-year trade school scholarships, both at $2,000.00 per student, per year. Currently, UTUIA is paying [...]

Amtrak announces death of former CEO Joseph Boardman

Amtrak announced today that former President and CEO Joseph Boardman, 70, died today after having a stroke March 5: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Boardman.” “Joe, during his tenure as FRA administrator, Amtrak board member and Amtrak president & C [...]

IRS Warns Taxpayers About Phishing Schemes

Kicking off the annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams, the Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers of the ongoing threat of internet phishing scams that lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft. The IRS warns taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to be aler [...]

Deadline approaching for Union Pacific workers to apply for refunds

Certain Union Pacific (UP) workers who were employed by the carrier from 1991 to 2017 might get some money back in their pockets thanks to a ruling made in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. If they meet certain criteria and were taxed on particular st [...]

Georgia: Let’s get our two-person crew bill moving!

Georgia State Legislative Director Matt Campbell reports that his two-person crew bill (H.B.190) has been held up by a subcommittee and that the efforts of members are needed to get the bill to a vote. He asks that Georgia members take a minute or two to send an email announc [...]

“60 Minutes” segment details fatal 2018 Cayce, S.C., accident

One of two crew members of the CSX freight train that was struck by the Amtrak Silver Star on Feb. 4, 2018, recounted the accident in a segment for CBS’s “60 Minutes” program that was broadcast Sunday night. SMART Transportation Division Local 30 member Michael Cella, 36, the [...]

Final three states receive FTA approval for rail safety oversight plans

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced last week that Florida, New Jersey and New York have obtained federal certification of their rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) programs. The three states were the last [...]

Colo. members: Tell the governor you support our two-person crew bill

Two-person freight crew safety legislation is one step closer to becoming law in Colorado with the state Senate’s passage of House Bill 1034 (H.B. 1034). After its 19-15 passage on Feb. 25 in the Senate, the bill is on the desk of Democratic Gov. Jared Polis for conside [...]

Amtrak says it’ll match funds to keep Southwest Chief route

Amtrak has informed federal, state and local officials along the route of the daily Chicago-to-Los Angeles Southwest Chief that it will provide matching funds to enable a federal grant to be awarded for safety and reliability upgrades in Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico, the c [...]