New York lawmakers pass bill mandating two-person train crews

The New York State Senate and Assembly have passed legislation that would require a crew of at least two people to operate Class I and Class II trains or locomotives in the state.

Introduced by State Sen. Timothy Kennedy (D-Buffalo), the bill would not apply to any train or locomotive engaged in helper or hostling services. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is encouraging New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the bill.

"This legislation is intended to protect not only railroad workers, but the general public as well," said BLET National President Dennis Pierce in a press release.

The Association of American Railroads opposes laws that mandate two-person crew sizes.

"These efforts would upend decades of meaningful collective bargaining and undermine the industry’s ability to compete in a rapidly changing transportation space," AAR's policy position states.