Transportation

How a freight train strike could throw your plans to travel by train off track
Freight railroads could stop rolling at midnight Friday if negotiators don't stop a looming strike over working conditions. Congress could end a strike quickly, but a brief shutdown hurts the economy.
Victims of floatplane crash in Washington included Minnesota couple
A Minnesota couple, a civil rights activist, a business owner, a lawyer and the founder of a winery and his family were among the 10 people killed when a floatplane crashed in the waters of Puget Sound.
Audit shows that the Southwest light rail extension project is nine years overdue and $1.5 billion over budget
The Southwest Corridor light rail project won’t be finished for several years and now, it’s $1.5 million over budget. Cathy Wurzer spoke with the legislative auditor on the findings of the report.
A Tesla burst into flames during a crash test. The organizer admitted it was staged
The insurance firm Axa said it regretted that its crash test caused confusion and admitted that electric vehicles don't catch fire any more often than combustion-engine automobiles.
Amid Labor Day weekend travel surge, airlines promise better customer service
Prodded by a new Transportation Department online customer service tool, airlines promise free food and hotel rooms for travelers stranded by delays and cancellations that are the airlines' fault.
White House receives plan on ending railway contract dispute
A railroad strike could devastate businesses that rely on Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX and other major freight railroads to deliver raw materials and ship their products. That's why Congress isn't likely to allow a strike to happen. In past national rail labor disputes, lawmakers have voted to impose terms on the railroads before workers could strike.
St. Joseph company aims to bring little electric cars to city streets
Opus Motorcar Co. is selling small, low-speed electric vehicles with hub motors — the kind in e-bikes and scooters — designed for short trips around town. Its 25-year-old CEO, Tom Skahen, has some big ambitions for shaking up how people think about local transportation.