Rail Industry News
Metra, Amtrak consider service reductions as ridership decreases
(Source: Chicago Sun-Times, March 12, 2020) CHICAGO — Metra and Amtrak are reporting a decrease in passengers and they expect ridership to dip even more in coming days as coronavirus spreads. Both rail agencies are also mulling reductions in service in anticipation of...
Boston drivers, MBTA riders stay home amid coronavirus
(Source: Boston Herald, March 12, 2020) BOSTON — There’s been more room on the road and on the subway this month as coronavirus fears spread and people stay home — and advocates say there’s transportation lessons to be learned from it. Full story: Boston...
Amtrak says bookings plunge, is set to lose several hundred million dollars on coronavirus fears
(Source: Reuters, March 11, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak said on Wednesday that bookings had plunged 50% since the coronavirus outbreak and that it now expected significant service reductions and losses of hundreds of millions of dollars....
AFL-CIO: The needs of working people must take center stage in COVID-19 policy debates
(Source: AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department press release, March 10, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement as lawmakers respond to health, safety, and economic threats posed...
Coronavirus outbreak puts pressure on North American intermodal volumes
(Source: Freight Waves, March 12, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The coronavirus outbreak could start to be affecting North American intermodal rail volumes on a weekly basis, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) said. For the week ending March 7, North American...
AAR: Rail traffic down for the week ending March 7, 2020
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, March 11, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 7, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 462,303...
NJ Senate President questions qualifications of NJ Transit’s boss
(Source: www.nj.com, March 11, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — State Senate President Stephen Sweeney gave NJ Transit’s president a no-confidence vote Wednesday, calling for a transit expert to run the beleaguered state mass transit agency. Sweeney, D-Gloucester, stopped short...
Amtrak service in Missouri could be derailed under latest budget proposal
(Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 11, 2020) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Amtrak service between St. Louis and Kansas City could be cut to one round-trip train ride per day under a budget plan outlined in the Missouri House Wednesday. Full story: St. Louis...
Union Pacific to tackle emissions reduction with science-based targets
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, March 11, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Union Pacific Railroad will set science-based targets for reducing its carbon emissions, the railroad announced in a press release Tuesday. Science-based targets are emissions reduction goals set in line...
Does Via Rail’s survival depend on a new route through Ontario and Quebec?
(Source: Global News, March 11, 2020) MONTREAL — Less than 20 years ago, intercity commuters leaving Toronto at 5 p.m. could take an express Via Rail train from Union Station in downtown Toronto and arrive at Central Station in downtown Montreal in three hours and 59...
For the first time in 15 years, grade crossing safety gains a hearing
(Source: Progressive Railroading, March 12, 2020) For the first time in 15 years, the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials held a hearing to address grade crossing safety. Subcommittee Chairman Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) called the Feb. 5...
U.S. weekly coal carloads fall to nearly four-year low
(Source: S&P Global Platts, March 11, 2020) HOUSTON — U.S. coal carloads were at a near four-year low 58,659 in the week ended March 7, the lowest total since 58,166 in the week ended April 9, 2016, the Association of American Railroads said Wednesday. Full story: S&P...
Amtrak to reduce routes, roll out voluntary leave program as coronavirus cuts train travel in half
(Source: Chicago Tribune, March 11, 2020) CHICAGO — Amtrak told employees Wednesday it will “significantly” reduce service and offer an unpaid voluntary leave program as bookings on the national railroad drop 50% in the wake of the growing coronavirus outbreak. Full...
Amtrak bookings plunge 50%, cancellations soar amid coronavirus concerns
(Source: USA Today, March 11, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak's bookings have plunged and cancellations have soared amid concerns about the coronavirus, and the company told its employees Wednesday to expect "significant reductions" in train service and voluntary,...
Bidding opens for W.Va.’s Heartland Intermodal Gateway
(Source: Herald-Dispatch, March 10, 2020) PRICHARD, W.Va. — The Heartland Intermodal Gateway facility, once touted as an economic game-changer for Wayne County, is now officially on the auction block. Full story: Herald-Dispatch
Security logs show rise in anger and violence on Via Rail’s Western Canadian trains
(Source: Global News, March 9, 2020) OTTAWA — Current and former Via employees say that violent incidents used to be rare on board the Canadian. But they say this changed after October 2018, when Greyhound cancelled most of its bus routes in Western Canada, leaving...
CSX says deployment of train inspection technology going smoothly
(Source: Freight Waves, March 10, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Eastern U.S. railroad CSX’s use of a train inspection portal (TIP) to look for defects as a train is going full speed has been a success so far, company representatives said, with the technology developing...
Rail blockades created huge tab for Canadian grain producers, industry says
(Source: Freight Waves, March 10, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Canadian grain producers anticipate industrywide costs of the recent rail blockades will total roughly C$300 million overall by the time network capacity returns to normal later this year. The costs come...
SEPTA employee recognized after pulling woman off tracks as train approached
(Source: CBS Philadelphia, March 11, 2020) PHILADELPHIA — A SEPTA ticket agent is being recognized for making a daring rescue while on the job. Prospect Park Borough Council gave Norma Williams their Outstanding Citizenship Award Tuesday night. Last Tuesday, Williams...
Teamsters celebrate Women’s History Month
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, March 9, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Teamsters Union celebrates Women’s History Month every March, and commemorates International Women’s Day on March 8. Throughout the year, we honor and promote women’s...
BLET News
BLET Triennial election results available online
The BLET’s National Division has made it easy for General Committees of Adjustment and State Legislative Boards to find results of the recent Triennial elections at www.ble-t.org.
2007 General Chairman workshop full; Waiting list established for a second
Due to overwhelming demand, the BLET Education & Training Department announced that a waiting list has been created for a second General Chairman workshop in 2007.
Court to hear carriers’ appeal of Family Leave decision
The Rail Carriers appeal of a U.S. District Court ruling made last year regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act has been set for oral argument on January 3, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the case may be heard, at the U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. The District Court decision was filed last December 28.
Railroad Retirement disability bill passes Senate
In response to the unity and solidarity of Rail Labor, the U.S. Senate passed the Railroad Retirement Disability Earnings Act, H.R. 5483, by voice vote on December 9.
General Chairman Workshop set for week of January 22, 2007
The BLET is pleased to announce that its Education & Training and Arbitration Departments are offering a General Chairman””s workshop in St. Louis, Mo., the week of January 22, 2007.
FRA: Train crew work schedules contribute to accidents
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released a study which provides a strong scientific rationale for evaluating railroad employee work schedules to address worker fatigue.
Election reminder: STs must file results online
As BLET Divisions nationwide conclude their Triennial Election of officers, the BLET National Division reminds incumbent Division Secretary-Treasurers of their duty to report election results electronically.
2007-2008 James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund
The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund awards scholarships annually to outstanding high school seniors, and 100 scholarships will be awarded during for the upcoming 2007-2008 school year.
Thanksgiving 2006
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all BLET members and their families a happy and joyous Thanksgiving.
BLET Job Bank: Allegheny Ludlum Steel Co.
The Allegheny Ludlum Steel Company, which operates an intra-plant railroad, is seeking to hire locomotive engineers to work at its Brackenridge, Pa., steel mill.
