Transportation News

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Metrolink to roll out collision avoidance system

The Metrolink passenger railroad Thursday (Feb. 20) will become the first commuter service in the nation to roll out a sophisticated collision avoidance system designed to overcome human error. Had so-called positive train control been in place five years ago, experts say, it [...]

Pilot shortage is an airline fairy tale

Airlines sell a commodity and buy from monopolies, i.e., the airports that provide landing rights. So it isn’t surprising they have such a tough time making money. Now they have another problem: There aren’t enough pilots and co-pilots willing to work for the low pay offered [...]

RRB announces pre-retirement seminars

Railroad employees and their spouses closing in on retirement will be able to learn the latest benefit information and application requirements as part of a new program announced by Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Walter A. Barrows. Designed for railroad em [...]

First Student memo exposes incentives to cut corners

News 4 has obtained a memo from the president of a huge school bus company telling its employees if they want to make extra money they need to cut serious corners. And that, employees told News 4, is at the root of all the dangerous problems we’ve been uncovering. Read the co [...]

Lawmakers press LIRR to settle with unions

Members of the Long Island congressional delegation are beginning to pressure the MTA to settle a contract dispute with Long Island Rail Road union workers and avert a strike that could cripple the nation’s largest commuter rail system as soon as next month. But the Met [...]

Sen. Heitkamp Honors SMART Member from N.D. Derailment

WASHINGTON – On the floor of the U.S. Senate, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp Feb. 10 shared the heroic story of Geoff Andersen, an engineer in training for Burlington Northern Santé Fe railroad, from Larimore, N.D., whose actions during the recent train derailment near Casselton, N.D., [...]

FMCSA Wants Drug-Test Database for CDL Holders

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced a proposed rule to establish a drug and alcohol clearinghouse for all national commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders. The clearinghouse would help improve roadway s [...]

FAA issues rule on PEDs in the cockpit

The Federal Aviation Administration Feb. 12 issued a final rule that reinforces that airline pilots cannot use portable electronic devices for personal use in all operations. The rule codifies existing FAA policies and procedures and meets an FAA Modernization and Reform Act [...]

FMCSA wants drug-test database for CDL holders

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced a proposed rule to establish a drug and alcohol clearinghouse for all national commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders. The clearinghouse wou [...]

Amtrak's Boardman: Rural needs trump extras

Amtrak’s CEO says passenger rail service in Southeastern Colorado is more important than some other amenities such as chocolates on the pillows for long-distance travelers. “Our most essential goal is to ensure Amtrak continues to serve small town America that is being abando [...]