General Information
Freight-rail traffic in Week 12 reflects falling demand for certain products
(Source: Progressive Railroading 03/26/2020) U.S. freight-rail traffic tumbled 8.6 percent to 459,966 carloads and intermodal units during the week ending March 21 compared with the same week in 2019, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data. Impact of the coronavirus pandemic may be influencing rail traffic patterns, as railroads logged 224,048 carloads, down 5.4 percent, and…
Read MoreShort lines seek temporary waivers from FRA due to coronavirus
(Source: Freight Waves, March 25, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A handful of short line railroads are asking the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to exempt them from conducting random alcohol and drug tests on employees because of concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic. Full story: Freight Waves Thursday, March 26, 2020
Read MoreAAR: “We may have seen the worst of COVID-19’s impacts on Asian trade”
(Source: Railway Age, March 25, 2020) NEW YORK — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) released U.S. rail traffic for the week ended March 21, 2020, and it contained some much-needed good news: The worst of the coronavirus’ effects on Asian trade may be over. Full story: Railway Age Thursday, March 26, 2020
Read MoreT&I Committee Helps Secure Key Provisions for Workers and Families in New House Bill to Address the Impacts of the Coronavirus
(Source: Media Release T&I Committee March 24, 2020) For Immediate Release: March 24, 2020 Contact: Kerry Arndt Washington, DC – The House Democrats’ newly-introduced legislation, H.R. 6379, the “Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act,” includes multiple provisions that will help millions of workers in the aviation, railroad, and public transit sectors, as well as…
Read MoreTSA to require freight railroads to provide training addressing terrorist threats
(Source: Freight Waves, March 24, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Rail employees involved in higher-risk freight rail operations must now be trained to watch for terrorist-related threats, according to a new rule from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Full story: Freight Waves Wednesday, March 25, 2020
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