NY Gov. Hochul signs two-person train crew bill

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed a bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains carrying hazardous materials through the state, two rail unions announced last week.

New York joins Ohio and Kansas as the third state to adopt train crew safety standards this year, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and SMART Transportation Division said in press releases. Hochul signed Senate Bill 5775 into law on Dec. 8.

Three years ago, a bill that would establish a minimum freight-crew size did not make it out of a New York State Senate Committee; and last year, Hochul vetoed a similar bill. However, this year’s legislation came about after the Feb. 11 freight-train derailment and hazardous materials spill and fire that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio.

The New York bill was introduced in March and establishes an escalating structure of fines for violations by Class I and II rail carriers that run freight trains without two on the crew in the state. The law takes effect next month.