INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 22 - Colorado Governor Jared S. Polis signed a two-person crew bill into law on March 21, signifying a significant boost to railroad safety in the state.
The bill reads in part: "The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that it is in the public interest to require that a common carrier engaged in the transportation of freight by railroad have multiple crew members aboard a railroad train or light engine in order to help ensure the public safety of citizens of this state and the safety of the state''s waterways and natural environment."
Primary sponsors of the bill are the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the SMART Transportation Division.
"This represents a significant legislative victory for all railroaders, especially our hard working engine and train crews," BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. "In the event of an emergency situation, a lone crew member cannot properly assess the situation, secure the train, notify all necessary emergency responders and take other steps to mitigate the emergency in a timely manner."
The bill requires a common carrier engaged in the transportation of property by railroad to have….