Transportation News

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

FRA safety board denies AAR request on air tests

A victory for safety was achieved in June when the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Railroad Safety Board denied a request by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to lengthen the “off-air” restriction from four to 24 hours for required brake tests and inspection [...]

White Pass & Yukon Railroad sold

In a joint venture, Alaska’s White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad (WP&Y) is being sold to Survey Point Holdings (majority owners) and Carnival/Holland America (minority owners). The deal is set to be final Aug. 1. “Both companies have experience operating in Southeast Alas [...]

S&T Making Cents newsletter: June 2018

Time to connect! TD Connect and the eBill system are coming your way.  Will you be ready? The TD Connect eBill system is going to save treasurers valuable time and energy when it rolls out in January 2019. With this paperless eBill system the entire processing and submitting [...]

Tour schedule set for Seattle Regional Meeting

A pair of tours has been finalized on July 1 and 2 for attendees of the 2018 SMART Transportation Division Regional Meeting in Seattle. Day 1 (July 1): Puget Sound whale watching tour Attendees will be picked up from the Westin Hotel downtown at 8:15 a.m. Sunday, July 1, and [...]

SMART TD leaders endorse bus safety bill

Washington, D.C. (June 6, 2018) – SMART Transportation Division leaders announced today their support for the Bus Operator and Pedestrian Protection Act introduced by Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D – Calif.) and Congressman John Katko (R — New York) that would enhance t [...]

SSA says trust fund depletion year remains 2034

The Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report on the long-term financial status of the Social Security trust funds. The combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI), or OASDI, trust funds are projected [...]

TD Minnesota Legislative Board endorses Walz for governor

SMART Transportation Division Minnesota State Legislative Board has proudly announced today its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Tim Walz’s campaign for governor of Minnesota. “Congressman Walz’s work with our union since 2006 for railroad safety and service distinguishes his efforts [...]

RRB issues Statements of Service

Each year, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) prepares a “Certificate of Service Months and Compensation” (Form BA-6) for every railroad employee with creditable railroad compensation in the previous calendar year. The RRB will mail the forms to employees during the fir [...]

Essential book informs members about railroad safety laws

“What Every Railroader Should Know,” written by Lawrence Mann, rail safety coordinator to SMART Transportation Division’s Designated Legal Counsel (DLC), is an extensive and comprehensive survey of federal railroad safety law as it pertains to rail workers and is [...]