Transportation News

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The price we pay for conservative scorn of Amtrak

On Tuesday night, an Amtrak train spectacularly derailed on its way through Philadelphia, killing at least seven people. On Wednesday morning, a House appropriations subcommittee voted to cut federal funding for Amtrak by about 20 percent. Those are two dots Republicans don’t [...]

At least 7 dead, over 200 hurt in Amtrak derailment

At least seven people were killed and over 200 people hurt after an Amtrak train, carrying 238 passengers and five crew members, derailed and rolled onto its side in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia Tuesday night, according to officials. Police said Wednesday that se [...]

PTC coming to Metro North and LIRR

HARTFORD, Conn. – Federal transportation officials and the Metropolitan Transportation Agency have agreed on a nearly $1 billion federal loan to install technology that could slow trains when necessary on Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Railroad. Sen. Richard Blume [...]

Legislation addresses TSA PreCheck vulnerabilities

Legislation that would “address serious security vulnerabilities identified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) and the Comptroller General about how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) carries out expedited airport checkpoint scre [...]

Some airline pilots don’t want cameras

Authorities debating whether the benefits outweigh the risks The debate over video cameras in airplane cockpits is heating up, as a string of high-profile aviation disasters prompt concerns over whether accident investigators have sufficient information. The United Nations’ a [...]

Treasurers’ workshop scheduled for May 12-14

The SMART Transportation Division is conducting a second local treasurers’ workshop at its headquarters in North Olmsted, Ohio, May 12-14. Attendance is limited to 25 registrants. Those interested in attending the workshop should contact the office of the SMART Transportation [...]

Freight Train Hits Parked Train in N.M., One Dead

A freight train struck another train head-on early Tuesday in southeastern New Mexico, killing one crew member on the moving train and injuring a second, a railroad official said. The accident occurred about 6:20 a.m. on a siding — a short section of tracks alongside the main [...]

N.Y. MTA seeks $1B loan for PTC system

The MTA is close to securing final federal approval of a nearly $1 billion loan to install technology on its commuter trains that could have prevented the 2013 Metro-North derailment in the Bronx in which four people died. Positive train control technology provides a new laye [...]

University of Tennessee Shuttle Operators Seal First Deal

The campus shuttle operators for the University of Tennessee’s transportation service unanimously ratified their first agreement with their employer after choosing SMART representation last year, Alternate Vice President – Bus Alvy Hughes reports. The members of newly formed [...]