Please sign to support legislation that will protect train employees and the civilian population by making it a requirement for railroad carriers to have two-person crews.

With recent developments in technology, it is being argued that trains no longer require two-person crews (consisting of a Conductor and an Engineer).  This is false for several reasons.

Operating a train is not a one-person job.  The Engineer requires support from a Conductor.  Over the course of a single trip, that could span over hundreds of miles and sometimes difficult terrains, it is unsafe to expect a single person to navigate all hazards that could be encountered.  Having a Conductor is having another set of eyes on the rails ahead to call out any danger that may not have been observed by the Engineer.  A Conductor can also copy information being transmitted over the radio that impacts running the train so the Engineer can keep focus on running.  There are also times when uncommon events take place where a Conductor is useful in looking up proper procedures while the Engineer maintains control of the train and can properly apply emergency brakes if needed.  To combine these jobs and leave all the responsibility on one person is unsafe for everyone.

Trains are being built heavier and longer and carry various forms of hazardous materials.  Reducing to a single crew member will cause an increase in incidents.  This is not an occupation that we would want an increase in incidents.  These trains pass through your towns and cities, and also those of your loved ones.  It is also a good idea to allow the state Utility and Transportation Commission (UTC) to order carriers to increase crew size on most dangerous trains when they think it is in the best interest of public safety.  We need to be as close to zero incidents as possible.  The Carriers have disregarded what those who actually do the job have to say on this issue.  We need your help to get the Carriers to finally listen to the men and women who work these rails on a daily basis. 

So we ask that you pass:

HB 1841 with the Kuderer Amendment