Two-person crew effort advances in Virginia

Rail safety legislation championed by the SMART Transportation Division’s Virginia State Legislative Board is on the cusp of landing on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk.

The Virginia House on Wednesday followed the lead of the state’s Senate earlier passage of the two-person crew bill this week. Once it has gone through parliamentary procedures, it’ll be off to the governor’s desk.

“Members showed up, and the groundwork we did with legislators in both chambers worked wonders in making this crew-size bill a success in the Legislature,” Virginia State Legislative Director Ronnie Hobbs said. “We’re just one signature away from maintaining current safe operating procedures on our state’s rails.”

Amendments made through the legislative review process reduced the scope of the bill. It had been initiated with provisions regarding train length and other safety matters.

The bill was supported by state Delegate Shelly Simonds in the House and state Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy in the Senate.