General Information
STB sets hearings on three major issues
(Source: Trains Magazine, November 12, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Surface Transportation Board has scheduled hearings on three major issues: the CSX acquisition of Pan Am Railways; Amtrak’s bid to operate trains between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., and its reciprocal switching proposal. Full story: Trains Magazine Monday, November 15, 2021
Read MoreRailroads’ use of long trains to go under the microscope
(Source: Trains Magazine, November 15, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill President Biden is slated to sign into law today (Monday, Nov. 15) contains funding for a study of Class I railroads’ use of ever-longer trains and their impact on safety, grade crossings, freight and passenger service, and the environment. The measure…
Read MoreU.S. Class Is react to new OSHA policy on Biden’s vaccine mandate
(Source: Progressive Railroading 11/05/2021) By Julie Sneider, senior associate editor U.S. Class Is are evaluating the impact of the Biden administration’s executive order calling for businesses with more than 100 employees and those that are federal contractors to enforce a COVID-19 vaccination policy. At least two Class Is have already implemented a vaccination mandate. Yesterday, the…
Read MoreRail industry applauds ‘historic’ funding levels in infrastructure bill
(Source: Progressive Railroading 11/08/2021) Railroads praised the House of Representatives’ passage late last week of a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which includes full five-year surface transportation reauthorization. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) includes $66 billion for railways, $39 billion for public transit and $17 billion for ports and waterways. “As we continue to…
Read MoreRailroad retiree earnings limits will increase in 2022
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, October 29, 2021) CHICAGO — Railroad retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2022 without having their benefits reduced due to increased limits indexed to average national wage increases. Like social security benefits, some railroad retirement benefit payments are subject to deductions if an annuitant’s earnings exceed…
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