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☆ Chinese airlines can boost U.S. flights to 50 per week, U.S. says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese passenger airlines will be allowed to boost their weekly round-trip U.S. flights to 50 starting on March 31, up from the current 35, the U.S. Transportation Department, or USDOT, said on Monday, returning the market to about one-third of pre-pandemic levels. Chinese passenger airlines will be allowed to boost their weekly round-trip U.S. flights to 50 starting on March 31, up from the current 35, the U.S. Transportation Department, or USDOT, said on Monday, returning the market to about one-third of pre-pandemic levels. More than 150 weekly round-trip passenger flights were allowed by each side before restrictions were imposed in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but until August 2023, Chinese and U.S. carriers could each fly only 12 a week between the two countries. The number rose on Sept. 1 to 18 weekly round-trips and then to 24 per week starting Oct. 29. Reuters reported last June that newly approved Chinese flights to the United States were not overflying Russia, which would have given them a shorter flight time and fuel advantage over U.S. rivals blocked from Russian airspace.

Organizations: U.S . Transportation Department, U.S ., Reuters Locations: U.S, China, United States, Russia

American airlines jets sit at gates at Washington's Reagan National airport in Washington, U.S. April 29, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 28 (Reuters) - The United States Transportation Department (USDOT) on Monday fined American Airlines (AAL.O) $4.1 million for unlawfully keeping thousands of passengers on the tarmac for hours, the largest-ever penalty for violating the rule. On one of the 43 flights, passengers were not provided with food and water as required. “This is the latest action in our continued drive to enforce the rights of airline passengers,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. While accepting this compromise settlement "American respectfully disagrees that certain of these tarmac delays warrant enforcement action under the extremecircumstances presented," it added.

Persons: Kevin Lamarque, USDOT, Pete Buttigieg, David Shepardson, Paul Grant, Rami Ayyub, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Reagan, REUTERS, United States Transportation Department, Monday, American Airlines, Aviation Consumer Protection, Dallas Fort Worth, Transportation, American, British Airways, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Dallas, Dallas Fort Worth Airport, U.S

☆ US, China agree to double weekly flights between countries
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Sources said U.S. airlines are not expected to immediately take advantage of all 18 weekly flights. China Eastern (600115.SS), Xiamen Airlines and China Southern (600029.SS) also fly scheduled service to the U.S., while United Airlines , American Airlines (AAL.O) and Delta Airlines (DAL.N) currently operate passenger flights to China. The 24 weekly flights are still a fraction of the more than 150 round-trip flights allowed by each side before restrictions were imposed in early 2020 due to the COVID-pandemic. Previously, only eight weekly flights by Chinese carriers were allowed. Reuters reported in June Chinese airlines were avoiding flying over Russian airspace in newly approved flights to and from the U.S. but still using Russian airspace for other flights.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Biden, USDOT, Antony Blinken's, United, Today’s, David Shepardson, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Transportation Department, Reuters, Embassy, State Department, . Air China, Xiamen Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Airlines for America, Thomson Locations: U.S, China, Beijing, Washington, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Los Angeles . China, Xiamen, Shanghai

☆ U.S., China agree to double weekly flights between countries
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Sources said U.S. airlines are not expected to immediately take advantage of all 18 weekly flights. China Eastern 600115.SS, Xiamen Airlines and China Southern 600029.SS also fly scheduled service to the U.S., while United Airlines UAL.N, American Airlines AAL.O and Delta Airlines DAL.N currently operate passenger flights to China. The 24 weekly flights are still a fraction of the more than 150 round-trip flights allowed by each side before restrictions were imposed in early 2020 due to the COVID-pandemic. Previously, only eight weekly flights by Chinese carriers were allowed. Reuters reported in June Chinese airlines were avoiding flying over Russian airspace in newly approved flights to and from the U.S. but still using Russian airspace for other flights.

Persons: New York John F, Biden, USDOT, Antony Blinken's, United, Today's Organizations: Air, Air China Boeing, New York, Kennedy International Airport, U.S . Transportation Department, Reuters, Embassy, State Department, . Air, SS, Xiamen Airlines, United Airlines UAL.N, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Airlines for America Locations: Air China, New, Jan, U.S, China, Beijing, Washington, Japan, South Korea, Australia, . Air China, Los Angeles . China, Shanghai

☆ White House pushes US agencies to 'aggressively' boost in-person work
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The White House wants federal agencies to "aggressively" execute a shift to more in-person work starting next month, saying it is crucial to delivering government services. Zients said "your agencies will be implementing increases in the amount of in-person work for your team. The Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Department said last month they expect teleworking government employees to boost in-person work. Some Republican lawmakers have pressed federal agencies to require more government workers to return to offices. In February, the House passed legislation to mandate federal agencies reinstate 2019 pre-pandemic telework policies.

Persons: Donald Trump, Kevin Wurm, Jeff Zients, Zients, Axios, Pete Buttigieg, USDOT, David Shepardson, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S Capitol, U.S, REUTERS, White House, White, Reuters, Office of Management, Biden, Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Department, FAA, Transportation, Republican, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

☆ US advances New York City vehicle congestion pricing plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 26 (Reuters) - A New York City plan to charge a daily toll on vehicles entering or remaining in the central business district got a boost on Monday from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which said the city had adequately assessed how the congestion charge would help the environment. Menendez has introduced legislation that would cut 50% of federal highway grant funding to New York state if the plan goes ahead. In May, USDOT approved release of the final environmental assessment for New York's congestion pricing plan for public review. Following entry into a tolling agreement, tolling could begin up to 310 days later, the city said in May. New York City, which has the most congested traffic of any U.S. city, would become the first major city in the U.S. to follow London, which implemented a similar charge in 2003.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Josh Gottheimer, Bill Pascrell, Menendez, USDOT, Donald Trump, David Shepardson, Mark Porter, Matthew Lewis Organizations: U.S . Department of Transportation, Administration, Democratic, York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, . New, Thomson Locations: York City, U.S, New Jersey, New York, Midtown Manhattan, . New York City, London, ., . New York, Manhattan, Washington

☆ Archer Aviation hires former acting FAA administrator
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, June 13 (Reuters) - Air taxi maker Archer Aviation (ACHR.N) said on Tuesday former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acting administrator Billy Nolen had joined the company as chief safety officer. California-based Archer said in May it had completed final assembly of its first "Midnight" electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In March, Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington withdrew his nomination to serve as FAA administrator after Republican criticism. Last week, the U.S. Transportation Department announced Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg was taking over as acting head of the FAA. She is also retaining her role as USDOT but focused on FAA, a department spokesperson said.

Persons: Billy Nolen, Archer, Billy, ” Adam Goldstein, Nolen, Phil Washington, Polly Trottenberg, Joe Biden, Katie Thomson, Bradley Mims, David Shepardson, Aishwarya Nair, Anil D'Silva, Emelia Organizations: Air, Archer Aviation, Aviation Administration, FAA, Reuters, Denver International, U.S . Transportation Department, Thomson Locations: California, Washington, Bengaluru

☆ US Senate leaders unveil $107 bln aviation policy bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - Leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee on Monday introduced a bipartisan aviation policy bill that would boost runway safety, track high-altitude balloons and prohibit airlines from charging fees for families to sit together. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, top Republican Ted Cruz and the aviation subcommittee leaders -- Senators Tammy Duckworth and Jerry Moran -- proposed a $107 billion five-year Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. The Senate bill "requires the FAA to increase runway safety by deploying the latest airport surface detection equipment and technologies." The Senate bill would ban family seating fees as does the House bill. The Senate bill would require refund request buttons at the top of their websites and double USDOT statutory civil penalties for aviation consumer violations from $25,000 to $50,000 per violation.

Persons: Maria Cantwell, Ted Cruz, Tammy Duckworth, Jerry Moran, Cantwell, Joe Biden's, Mark Kelly, David Shepardsond, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Senate, Democrat, Aviation Administration, FAA, Washington National Airport, National Transportation Safety Board, Transportation Department, airline, Airlines for, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, U.S, Thomson Locations: Airlines for America

☆ Will the I-95 collapse in Philadelphia hurt the economy? Look at other cities for answers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —A section of northbound I-95 in Philadelphia collapsed Sunday after a tanker truck caught fire underneath the highway. I-95 is an important artery for not only the East Coast, but for regional transportation and commuters in Philadelphia. Another analysis by the state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development and the transportation department found the economic loss was about $17 million in 2007 and $43 million in 2008. Morning commutesThe Philadelphia bridge collapse also brings up another question: How will commuters get to work? Advocates for public transport in Philadelphia look to Atlanta, when the Interstate-85 bridge collapsed in 2018 after a massive fire.

Persons: Tumar Alexander, ”, ” Alexander, Kristen Scudder, ” Scudder, Scudder, Scrudder, Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Buttigieg, “ I’ve, Shapiro Organizations: New, New York CNN, Delaware, Regional Planning Commission, City, Philadelphia Office, Emergency Management, New Jersey Turnpike, of Transportation Statistics, University of Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Transportation, state’s Department of Employment, Economic, Bureau, Transportation, Invest, Atlanta Regional Commission, Southeastern, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, “, Twitter, Federal Highway Administration, FHWA, Gov Locations: New York, Philadelphia, East Coast, City of Philadelphia, New Jersey, Memphis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, West Memphis , Arkansas, Atlanta, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Roosevelt, Northeast Philadelphia

MEXICO CITY/WASHINGTON, June 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. and Mexico still have "differences" of opinion regarding Mexico's recovery of a coveted air safety rating, Mexico's president said on Thursday. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded Mexico to the Category 2 air safety rating more than two years ago, citing safety concerns. The U.S. wants to make clear any decision to restore Mexico's safety rating would be based on technical merits, not politics, the sources added. A joint statement from the U.S. and Mexican transportation agencies released by USDOT late Thursday did not address Mexico's air safety rating but said both governments are committed to the successful development of AIFA "in ways that will bolster the U.S.-Mexico air transportation relationship." Mexican Transportation Minister Jorge Nuno said the audit was Mexico's "last" in a statement Wednesday, implying a positive resolution.

Persons: Pete Buttigieg, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez, Felipe Angeles, Lopez Obrador, USDOT, Jorge Nuno, Lopez Obrador's, Kylie Madry, David Shepardson, Rosalba O'Brien, Gerry Doyle Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S . Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, U.S . Transportation, Transportation, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, WASHINGTON, U.S, Mexico, United States, Mexican, Mexico City, Benito Juarez, AIFA, Washington

☆ Biden administration wants Congress to mandate flight delay compensation
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Kevin LamarqueWASHINGTON, June 8 (Reuters) - The Biden administration has submitted draft legislation to Congress that would mandate airlines pay cash compensation for delays of three hours or more when carriers are responsible. Biden in May said the administration was writing new rules to require airlines to compensate passengers with cash for significant flight delays, but legislation from Congress would significantly bolster the administration's legal authority. The Biden administration also wants Congress to write new rules to require transparency for baggage and other ancillary fees when booking a ticket. Most carriers voluntarily committed last August to provide hotels or meals but resisted providing cash compensation for delays. The administration also wants Congress to mandate an increase to the recording time of cockpit voice recorders from the currently 2-hour loop to a proposed 25-hour loop for all future manufactured aircraft.

Persons: Ronald Reagan, Kevin Lamarque WASHINGTON, Biden, May, USDOT, David Shepardson, Leslie Adler, Stephen Coates Organizations: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, REUTERS, Reuters, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Transportation Department, European Union, Thomson Locations: Ronald, Ronald Reagan Washington, Arlington , Virginia, U.S

☆ Deputy US Transportation chief expected to be FAA’s interim leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, June 4 (Reuters) - Deputy U.S. Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg is expected to be named Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) next interim leader, two sources told Reuters on Sunday. Acting FAA administrator Billy Nolen is expected to leave the agency on Friday, officials told Reuters last week. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating six runway incursion events since January including some that could have been catastrophic. Reuters earlier reported that Nolen is expected to take a position with electric air taxi firm Archer Aviation (ACHR.N) after he leaves the FAA. The FAA, White House and Transportation Department did not respond to requests for comment.

Persons: Polly Trottenberg, Billy Nolen, Trottenberg, Nolen, Barack Obama, Charles Schumer, Phil Washington, David Shepardson, Kanjyik Ghosh, Diane Craft Organizations: U.S, Transportation, Federal Aviation, FAA, Sunday, Street Journal, Reuters, United, National Transportation Safety, Archer Aviation, New York City’s, U.S . Senate, Denver International, White House and Transportation Department, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, New York, Washington, Bengaluru

☆ Newly approved US flights by Chinese airlines avoid Russian airspace
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) - Chinese airlines are avoiding flying over Russian airspace in newly approved flights to and from the United States, according to flight tracking website FlightAware and industry officials. Russia has barred U.S. airlines and other foreign carriers from flying over its airspace, in retaliation for Washington banning Russian flights over the U.S. in March 2022 after the country invaded Ukraine. FlightAware records show Chinese flights recently approved by Washington are not flying over Russia, while previously approved Chinese airline U.S. flights are still using Russian airspace. Previously, only eight weekly flights by Chinese carriers were allowed. The 12 weekly flights are a small fraction of the more than 150 round-trip flights allowed by each side before restrictions were imposed in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persons: International Affairs Annie Petsonk, Biden, Petsonk, USDOT, David Shepardson, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S, U.S . Transportation Department, Aviation, International Affairs, Air China, China, Xiamen Airlines, China Southern, Embassy, Airlines for, Thomson Locations: United States, Russia, Washington, Ukraine, Beijing, China, New York, Shanghai Los Angeles, Xiamen, Los Angeles, Guangzhou, U.S, Airlines for America

☆ New Jersey senators seek to delay New York City congestion pricing plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, May 15 (Reuters) - New Jersey's two Democratic senators and the state's governor said on Monday they are seeking to halt a plan by New York City to adopt a congestion pricing plan in Manhattan, which would be the country's first. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker urged U.S. Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg not to grant final approval to environmental reviews needed to implement the congestion pricing plan after his department gave a key approval on May 5. Governor Phil Murphy said he would work "to halt implementation of this misguided tolling plan" and said the state is assessing legal options. Earlier this month, USDOT approved release of the final environmental assessment for New York's congestion pricing plan for public review. New York said drivers could face a traffic congestion charge of up to $23 a day.

☆ Data of 237,000 US government employees breached
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, May 12 (Reuters) - The personal information of 237,000 current and former federal government employees has been exposed in a data breach at the U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT), sources briefed on the matter said on Friday. The breach hit systems for processing TRANServe transit benefits that reimburse government employees for some commuting costs. The breach impacted 114,000 current employees and 123,000 former employees. Federal employees and agencies have been target of hackers in the past. Two breaches at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in 2014 and 2015 compromised sensitive data belonging to more than 22 million people, including 4.2 million current and federal employees along with fingerprint data of 5.6 million of those individuals.

It is the latest in a series of moves by the Biden administration to crack down on airlines and bolster passenger consumer protections. "When an airline causes a flight cancellation or delay, passengers should not foot the bill,” U.S. Transportation Secretary (USDOT) Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. Most carriers voluntarily committed in August 2022 to providing hotels or meals but resisted providing cash compensation for delays. The Biden administration has sparred with U.S. airlines over who was to blame for hundreds of thousands of flight disruptions last year. In October, Reuters first reported major U.S. airlines opposed USDOT plans to update its dashboard to show whether carriers would voluntarily compensate passengers for lengthy delays within airlines' control.

☆ Biden administration OKs boost in Chinese airline flights to US
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

USDOT's order said its goal was "a gradual, broader reopening of the U.S.-China air services market." U.S. carriers American Airlines (AAL.O), Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), and United Airlines (UAL.O) operate scheduled passenger services between the countries, as do Chinese operators Xiamen Airlines, Air China (601111.SS), China Southern Airlines (600029.SS) and China Eastern Airlines (600115.SS). USDOT noted American began operating two additional roundtrip weekly flights to Shanghai from Texas in March after Chinese pandemic restrictions were dropped. USDOT said in its order that Chinese restrictions on air travel "had, and continue to have, a devastating effect on the U.S.-China air transport market." In February, two key senators issued a letter urging the Biden administration to halt Chinese airlines and other non-American carriers from flying over Russia on U.S. routes, which gives them an advantage in fuel burn and flying time.

☆ US fines British Airways $135,000 over tarmac delay in 2017
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, April 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT) Wednesday imposed a $135,000 penalty on British Airways over a 2017 tarmac delay in which it failed to ensure the timely deplaning of passengers. As part of a settlement, the airline, which is owned by IAG (ICAG.L), agreed to cease and desist from future similar violations. USDOT said British Airways must pay $67,500 within 30 days and the rest within one year if the airline violates the order. British Airways did not immediately comment Wednesday. It told USDOT the delay was caused after the deicing truck ran out of fluid.

☆ U.S. urges rail tank car owners, shippers to use safer, newer cars
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT) on Wednesday urged rail tank car owners and hazmat shippers of flammable liquids to stop using tank cars like some in a Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern (NSC.N) train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio and replace them with newer, safer tank cars. Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw said at a Senate Commerce hearing on Wednesday the railroad supports the provision "for accelerating safer tank car standards". Last month, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called on Congress to mandate owners of tank cars to expedite the phase-in of safer DOT-117 tank cars in advance of the congressionally mandated 2029 deadline. The PHMSA advisory calls on shippers of flammable liquids "to voluntarily upgrade their tank car fleets to the newest, and safest, available tank car design authorized for flammable liquid service." The advisory added railroads should consider applyingrequirements applicable to high-hazard flammable trains to trains with fewer tank cars carrying flammable liquids in DOT-111 tank cars.

☆ Biden administration wants Congress to bar airlines from charging family seating fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Carlos BarriaWASHINGTON, March 13 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Monday asked U.S. lawmakers to approve legislation to bar airlines from charging family seating fees if adjacent seats are available during booking. The bill would direct airlines to offer refunds or seats on another flight if adjacent seats were unavailable under certain conditions. Last week, American Airlines(AAL.O), Alaska Airlines(ALK.N) and Frontier Airlines(ULCC.O) agreed to guarantee in customer service plans not to charge family seating fees if specific conditions are met. Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) Chief Executive Bob Jordan said last week the airline is in discussions with USDOT about the family seating dashboard. USDOT has begun drafting regulations to end all family seating fees but that could take years to finalize.

☆ USDOT defends 'fully qualified' Biden aviation nominee
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, March 9 (Reuters) - The Biden administration told Congress on Thursday its pick to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is fully qualified and does not violate a law requiring civilian leadership. Republicans question whether Denver International Airport Chief Executive Officer Phil Washington has the required aviation experience needed to serve as top U.S. aviation regulator. Cruz said on Wednesday that Washington was "unable to answer basic safety questions about the 737 MAX crashes, aircraft certification, and how a pilot might react when a system malfunctions." "Surveying the leadership of the aviation field supports this fact overwhelmingly. Washington this week won backing of three former FAA administrators and the chief executive of Frontier Airlines (ULCC.O).

☆ U.S. pressures airlines to commit to ending family seating fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) - Three U.S. airlines agreed to commit in writing to eliminating family seating fees if adjacent seats are available during booking, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) said on Monday. USDOT is unveiling a new government dashboard highlighting airline commitments after its four-month review found no airlines previously guaranteed fee-free family seating. Airlines for America, which represents large U.S. airlines, says its carriers do not charge for family seating but many do not include commitments in customer service plans. Alaska Airlines said it has "always cared for families on our flights and family seating is something we’ve never charged for." USDOT has begun drafting regulations to end family seating fees but that could take years to finalize.

☆ Biden urges US carriers to follow American Airlines on family seating
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Tuesday called on U.S. airlines to follow American Airlines (AAL.O) in committing to eliminating family seating fees as part of their customer service plans. Airlines for America, which represents the largest U.S. airlines, has said its carriers do not charge for family seating. Other carriers have not adopted the commitment in customer service plans. Carriers that do not honor commitments in written plans can face enforcement actions from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) said Tuesday it "does not charge family seating fees and regardless of the ticket class purchased, will always work with customers on a case-by-case basis to ensure their family seating needs are met."

☆ Norfolk Southern takes responsibility for Ohio crash environment cleanup, CFO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We take responsibility ... We're fully dedicated to making things right," Mark George, Norfolk Southern's (NSC.N) chief financial officer, said at an investor conference hosted by Barclays. A day earlier, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Norfolk Southern to "pay for cleaning up the mess" created by toxic chemicals that spewed into the air, water and soil after the accident. Norfolk Southern plans to quantify related costs no later than its first-quarter earnings. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) plans to release a preliminary report on Thursday on its initial findings into the fiery crash. He will be joined by representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

☆ U.S. urges rail industry, Congress to boost safety measures after toxic derailment
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Buttigieg said he planned to pursue new regulations to boost rail safety "to the extent possible" under current law and would initiate additional focused inspection programs. Buttigieg wants Congress to make it easier to impose new train safety regulations and increase U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) fines for violating safety regulations from the current maximum $225,455 at least ten-fold. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the derailment and USDOT said it would use the probe results "to hold Norfolk Southern accountable, while pushing for rail safety initiatives in the more immediate future." Some rail safety requirements were withdrawn under President Donald Trump. Some Republican critics of the East Palestine response who previously opposed rail regulations have now expressed openness to new rules.

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