Union Pacific Under Fire for Endangering Rail Safety
Union Pacific, the largest freight railroad carrier in the US, has been criticized by federal regulators for poor maintenance of its trains, furloughing maintenance workers, and pressuring inspectors to prioritize freight movement over safety. Inspections revealed that over 70% of train engines and 20% of cars had safety defects, twice the national average. The company has been accused of lacking urgency in addressing these issues. The safety record of the railroad industry is under scrutiny, with recent accidents and derailments. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been urging rail companies to participate in a voluntary safety program, but the industry has resisted. Union Pacific claims safety is its priority and will address the concerns raised in the letter. Labor union leaders attribute the safety problems to the precision scheduled railroading business model.