LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska legislation that would require two-person train crews advanced in the state’s legislature on Wednesday, with an amended version passing in the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee by a 35-8 vote.
LB 31 was introduced last year by state Sen. Mike Jacobson (R-North Platte, Neb.) and establishes penalties of up to $10,000 for violations.
The amended bill adds exceptions for Class III short lines and loading and unloading of freight, including grain.
KLIN Radio quotes Jacobson as saying the presence of a conductor would provide a second set of eyes to detect safety problems: “Engineers have to stay in the cab under all circumstances and often must be there up to 12 hours with no breaks and no cell phones.”
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