Transportation News

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

Calif. Republican cool to more HSR money

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. WASHINGTON — U.S. House of Representatives Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of California, the third-ranking House Republican, told McClatchey Newspapers March 8 that California should not be the recipi [...]

Watco seeking NS, CSX track in Alabama

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. Shortline holding company Watco is seeking regulatory approval to acquire 43.6 miles of track from Norfolk Southern in Alabama between Maplesville and Autauga Creek, and 10.1 miles of track between Autaug [...]

Union officer charged in alleged bribery

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. A BLET special representative was charged by the U.S. Justice Department March 8 in a continuing investigation into alleged corruption involving bribery. Thomas E. Miller, 64, of Dunlap, Tenn., was charge [...]

Money rains to unseat union-busting lawmakers

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. As right-wing extremist lawmakers in Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin continue their drive to push through anti-union legislation, a status-quo remains this week. But what is moving forward is a public revolt [...]

Former UTU C&NW chairperson dies

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. Donald F. “Monk” Markgraf, a former UTU general chairperson on Chicago & North Western Railway (now part of Union Pacific) died March 3 at age 81. A native of Antigo, Wis., Markgraf hired [...]

FRA to scale back miles for PTC installation

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has agreed to a request by railroads to scale back the number of rail route miles over which positive train control (PTC) must be implemented before [...]

Federal judge rules in merger cases

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. WASHINGTON — Late Friday, March 4, U.S. District Court Judge John Bates issued several rulings regarding the pending cases regarding the UTU and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association  [...]

UTU bus operator drives home his price

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. LOS ANGELES — A Thursday morning in February started like most for bus operator and UTU Local 1564 member Darwin Dawson — making fruit and vegetable protein shakes for fellow Division 18 worke [...]

Day of Protest by UTU Arizona members

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. PHOENIX — The UTU’s Arizona State Legislation Board and UTU members participated in a lobbying day at the Arizona state capitol here to protest the attack in numerous states on collective-barg [...]

FRA proposes crossing-hazards hotline

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. WASHINGTON — Railroads soon will be required by the Federal Railroad Administration to establish toll-free telephone numbers to allow the public to report malfunctioning highway-rail grade-crossing [...]