Duffy: Mexican rail crews must be English proficient when operating cross-border trains

The Trump administration will enforce English language proficiency among rail crews along the U.S.-Mexico border. 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Dec. 19 announced the new requirement. The same day, the Federal Railroad Administration sent letters to CPKC and Union Pacific Railroad regarding the inspections that led to the enforcement.

FRA inspectors this fall encountered inbound rail crews that "appeared to have difficulty interpreting" general track bulletins, which are notices about track conditions that temporarily impact operations, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation press release. Additionally, members of the crews had difficulty communicating about safety requirements when the FRA inspectors asked questions.

During the routine inspections, the FRA found one inbound CPKC train with inconsistent information regarding the hazardous materials it was hauling. The FRA also reported instances where the transfer of consist information between UP and the Mexican carrier Ferromex was incomplete. 

Railroads are required under federal regulation to certify that all locomotive engineers and conductors possess the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to operate safely in the United States. English language proficiency will now be included as a necessary ability. 

"Train crew operators who can’t speak English pose a significant safety risk that should not be ignored," said FRA Administrator David Fink in the press release. "Dispatchers and first responders need to know that they can communicate with train crews, especially during times of emergency."