Missouri’s Burlison Spearheads Challenge Against Train Crew Size Regulations

Missouri Representative Eric Burlison has taken a definitive stand against the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) recent rule on train crew sizes. Through a Congressional Review Act resolution, Burlison seeks to overturn the FRA’s mandate, which stipulates that train operations must have a minimum crew size, underscoring the importance of having at least two crew members.

Burlison’s contention centers on the belief that such regulations place undue strain on small businesses, ostensibly without delivering tangible safety improvements. This perspective is echoed by notable industry players—the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association—who have joined Burlison in criticizing the FRA’s lack of empirical safety data to justify the rule.

The debate over the necessity and effectiveness of enforcing a minimum crew size has now reached a critical juncture, with Burlison’s resolution signaling a significant challenge to the FRA’s approach to rail safety regulations. The outcome of this legislative effort may have far-reaching implications for the rail industry, particularly influencing how safety standards are conceptualized and implemented in the future.