Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Aug. 24, 2020:
Railroad groups seek hours relief during unplanned emergency events
The Association of American Railroads and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association are petitioning for relief from several hours of service provisions.
In a waiver request submitted to FMCSA, the groups requested relief from provisions in order to enable railroad employees subject to hours rules to respond to unplanned events that occur outside of or extend beyond the employee’s normal work hours.
Specifically, the groups are petitioning for these drivers to be able to:
The railroad groups contend that the hours prohibitions on driving after a 14-hour period, and after 60 or 70 hours on-duty in a moving 7- or 8-day week, “inhibit a railroad’s ability to respond expeditiously to certain types of emergency situations.”
The waivers would apply to railroad employees responding to unplanned events that affect interstate commerce, service or the safety of railway operations, including passenger rail operations, and that occur outside of or extend beyond the employee’s normal shift.
FMCSA is requesting public comments on the request, which can be made here through Sept. 21.
