Attica, N.Y. (WBEN) - In light of recent train derailments in Ohio and a history of accidents occurring in Western New York counties like Wyoming, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is advocating for bipartisan legislation currently in Congress that is prioritizing railway safety.
Senator Schumer stood along the Norfolk County Southern line in Attica on a cold Friday morning to discuss his advocacy for the Railway Safety Act of 2023, which will enhance new rail safety protocols, hold railroads accountable for unsafe practices and increase transparency of hazardous materials that trains carry, which would stand to greatly benefit areas with heavy freight rail activity like Western New York.
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"Rail safety has declined in America and we've got to get it back to snuff," said Senator Schumer.
"The death disaster in Ohio should have been the canary in the coal mine, a loud warning whistle that I have long sounded on dangerous rail safety hazards which demand immediate action. That's why I'm here to say with our first responders and our local officials, enough is enough. We need to stop this problem before it goes off the rails any further."
Specifically, this bill will look to enhance safety for all trains carrying hazardous material by requiring emergency response plans and ordering that rail carriers provide advance notifications and information to emergency response officials on what they're transporting and reducing the risk of wheel bearing failures by getting scanned with hotbox detectors every 10 miles.
The bill also seeks to mandate each train to have at least two-person crews, ensuring adequate well-trained rail operators are available for safe operation.
In addition, the bill will increase the maximum fines the United States Department of Transportation can issue for safety violations from $225,000 to 1% of a railroads annual operating income.
"And finally, legislation that supports first responders. There's going to be a fee of $1 million on each railroad every year. And that money will go to pay local responders to counties like Wyoming, a town like the village of Attica. They can't afford all of this. It's not their fault when a big train goes through. So they ought to be reimbursed for the expenses when something like this happens."
The senator mentions he will be the "main conductor" for advocating this bill to move forward. He will bring it to the floor and is confident that it will be passed.
"Yes, it has a very good chance of getting passed. We'll see how many votes it gets in committee. I think it's going to get most of the Democrats and most of the Republicans in the Senate. I'm very optimistic. We'll have to see what the House does. But it also has broad bipartisan support in the house as well."
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