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.”
Needless perhaps to say, as a Nebraskan I do find this to be GOOD news.