WASHINGTON — A bill that would restrict freight train crews to no fewer than two people has made another appearance in Congress.
The Safe Freight Act of 2017 (H.R. 233) was filed Jan. 3 by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska.
The bill states, “no freight train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight may be operated unless it has a crew consisting of at least 2 individuals.” The crew would be a certified engineer and conductor.
The bill was referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. If passed by Congress, the measure would pre-empt Federal Railroad Administration efforts to create a “train crew staffing” regulation.
The FRA’s rulemaking started in 2014. The agency held a public hearing on the subject last July. A tentative date for the final rule is sometime this month.
Young’s bill is not new. Bills with identical language were filed in January 2013 and March 2014. Both died in committee.
