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7/23/2026
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Bill signed requiring at least two crew members aboard freight trains
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 STATE HOUSE – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Lammis J. Vargas and Rep. Matthew S. Dawson was ceremonially signed into law today, protecting public safety by requiring at least two crew members on every freight train operated in Rhode Island.
“This is common-sense public safety legislation. Just like commercial airliners are required to have two licensed pilots on every plane, freight trains, which can consist of dozens or even hundreds of cars carrying heavy and sometimes hazardous loads, shouldn’t be entirely reliant on a single individual,” said Representative Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence).
Said Senator Vargas (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence), “Most, but not all, freight railroad companies abide by the standard in our bill. However, as technology has evolved, they have been able to whittle staff on each train significantly, and trains in other parts of the country have been operated by a crew of just one. This bill ensures that doesn’t happen in Rhode Island, particularly since we have freight trains running through some of our most heavily populated communities.”
The legislation (2026-H 7608, 2026-S 2913), which was signed by Gov. Dan McKee today at a ceremony held at the Pawtucket/Central Falls Transit Center, was supported by the AFL-CIO and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
In testimony supporting the bill, Daniel M. Cadogan, chairman of the Brotherhood’s New England Legislative Board, said freight trains running through Rhode Island typically are 5,000 to 11,000 feet long, as long as 600 full-size SUVs by length, and equivalent to 3,300 SUVs by weight. He also pointed to a 2013 derailment of a freight train carrying crude oil in Quebec, which burned for two days and killed 47 people. It had rolled downhill at high speed and derailed on a curve after being left standing by its single crew member.
The bill takes effect Oct. 1. Rhode Island now becomes the 13th state with laws requiring a minimum crew of two on freight trains.
IN PHOTO: Rep. Matthew S. Dawson and Sen. Lammis J. Vargas hold their bills following today’s signing.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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