Transportation News

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

Calls for 2-person crews in response to amphibious vehicle fatalities

The Portland Press Herald reported that as amphibious vehicles (duck boats), designed to traverse land and water, have increased in popularity over the years, so has the number of accidents and fatalities involving these complicated vehicles.  Advocates for increased safety m [...]

New Hampshire next for right-to-work? State House says NO!

In a close vote, the New Hampshire State Senate voted 12-11 to pass right-to-work (for less) in January. The bill then went to the Republican-controlled House for a vote and was expected to pass. The bill surprisingly failed in the House 200-177, with 32 Republicans voting ag [...]

Former Alt. Bus Vice President Seymour Kramer dies

Seymour Kramer, 70, retired alternate vice president, bus – west, died January 20, 2017. Kramer began his career as a bus operator for Laidlaw Transit in San Francisco in 1970. As a member of Local 1741, he served as president, vice general chairperson, general chairper [...]

Retired Gen. Chairperson William “Butch” Young dies

SMART TD member and former railroad conductor, William “Butch” E. Young III died at the age of 74 on Feb. 15, 2017, in Chino, Calif. Family was his main priority, and Butch was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Carol; son Mike, daughter-in-l [...]

Retired GC De Genova dies at 67

Richard P. “DG” De Genova, 67, died Tuesday, February 14 surrounded by his family. De Genova hired out with the Youngstown and Southern (Y&S) Railway while attending Youngstown State University (YSU). After receiving his BA in History/Secondary Education in 19 [...]

Ohio Republican brings Right To Work to House floor

Source: Cleveland.com, 2/13/17 COLUMBUS, Ohio – On February 13, 2017, Rep. John Becker (R) introduced H.B. 53, a Right-to-Work measure designed to weaken collective bargaining rights for public and private employees. H.B. 53 would allow public sector employees to opt ou [...]

Railroad worker awarded $7.5 million in toxin exposure case

According to the National Review. com, a jury in Madison county, Wisconsin ruled against Union Pacific Railroad by awarding $7.5 million in damages to a former railroad worker for contracting severe illnesses that were deemed directly linked to his longterm exposure to creoso [...]

Los Angeles: bus ridership down, commuter rail up

According to an article posted by LaTimes.com, despite taxpayer support and route expansion, bus ridership with Los Angeles County’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) has dropped considerably over the past several years. Conversely, commuter rail ridership has incr [...]

Alaska Railroad to lay off 31 employees, eliminate 18 jobs

The Alaska Railroad announced Friday, Feb. 10 that they will lay off 31 people and eliminate 18 vacant positions, 8 percent of its workforce. Employees were told on Friday that their last day will be March 13. The positions being eliminated range from interns to vice presiden [...]