ASLRRA: FRA pauses dispatcher, signal worker certification rule

The Federal Railroad Administration has granted a one-year delay in its planned March 17 implementation date of the proposed dispatcher certification and signal employee certification rules, according to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

The FRA also is reopening the ASLRRA's petitions for reconsideration of the rules, ASLRRA said in an email to its members.

While the delay is granted by the issuance of enforcement discretion at this time, FRA said a notice will be issued in the Federal Register formally reopening the review of ASLRRA's petitions, the association said. The new deadline for designating personnel and issuing certificates is March 17, 2026.

The provision in the final rules that states that railroads are prohibited from allowing anyone to perform service as a dispatcher or signal employee unless they are certified is also granted a one-year delay. The FRA's one-year extension would apply to all railroads, ASLRRA officials said.