LINCOLN- Last Friday, State Sen. Suzanne Geist, who chairs the Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, stated that she does not plan to seek action on LB31 this year, a bill that would require two-person train crews in Nebraska. Geist went on to promise that she would take up the issue again next year, but only if the Federal Railroad Administration does no rule on the issue in the meantime.

Sen. Mike Jacobson, who introduced the bill, was backed by numerous railroad workers, local officials, and varied supporters. All proponents of the bill called it a public safety and worker safety issue. Jacobson cited the recent derailment of a Norfolk Southern train near East Palestine, Ohio as a reason for the bill.

Representatives from Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the two major railroads in Nebraska, opposed LB31, saying the issue should be handled through collective bargaining between the companies and their employee unions. They also said that railroads require the flexibility to go with a one-person crew as technology improves.

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