City Of Beaumont, Rep. Ruiz Pressure Union Pacific Over Stopped Train

BEAUMONT, CA — The Pass Area's congressional representative requested an immediate response from the CEO of Union Pacific Railroad about a June 15 train incident in Beaumont that turned the city into a giant parking lot.

The city also pushed for answers.

Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Coachella Valley) sent a letter Tuesday to CEO Lance M. Fritz asking for "an immediate response" outlining the actions the Union Pacific leader will take "to prevent such an incident from occurring again and to ensure better communication with affected communities."

Ruiz said the lack of communication surrounding Union Pacific’s stopped train was "unacceptable."

For more than six hours on June 15, an immobile train on Union Pacific Railroad tracks delayed Pass Area motorists by blocking three of Beaumont's thoroughfares from the city's southern border to the northern part of town.

During the stoppage, Beaumont police and city officials scrambled to get word from the company, but succinct answers were scarce, according to local leaders.

Union Pacific has not publicly explained what happened.

On June 16, Patch received the following email response from Union Pacific spokesperson Robynn Tysver.

"We apologize for the wait times residents experienced yesterday near Beaumont, California. We continuously work to minimize blocked crossings caused by stopped trains. Our goal is to keep trains moving and we are working to move rail shipments more efficiently. Drivers and pedestrians can report blocked crossings on Union Pacific tracks by calling our 24/7 Response Management Communications Center at 1 (888) 877-7267. They can also call the phone number posted near railroad crossings. Again, we are sorry for the inconvenience."

Apparent mechanical issues and train car tampering were to blame for the long stoppage in Beaumont, according to a statement from an exasperated Beaumont Police Department.

"Massive traffic blockages are not merely an inconvenience, they can delay emergency responders, cause cars to run out of fuel and strand drivers in hot weather without air conditioning, make vehicles ... overheat, and otherwise put people in danger," Ruiz said in his letter to Fritz. "A lack of communication about what is causing the problem, and when relief can be expected, only makes this issue worse."

Ruiz asked Fritz to answer the following questions.

1. What internal investigations are Union Pacific pursuing to understand the cause of the stopped train and the delay in moving it?
2. What are Union Pacific’s standard operating procedures when a train is stopped on the tracks?
3. Does Union Pacific have internal best practices for handling stopped vehicles on its tracks?
4. Does Union Pacific track or compile similar incidents involving stopped trains?
5. How does Union Pacific schedule its shifts to account for potential delays on its tracks?

Ruiz asked for a response no later than July 5.

Ruiz also requested a meeting with Union Pacific leadership to discuss the June 15 incident and proactive steps the company is taking to ensure the incident is never repeated.

The Beaumont City Council on Tuesday voted to send letters to the California Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Railroad Administration that include a request to investigate Union Pacific’s actions as they relate to "the hazardous situation caused by the immobile train."

The city also requested a meeting with Union Pacific to discuss how the company intends to ensure the problem never happens again and how the city can effectively communicate with railroad emergency employees when necessary.

Mayor Lloyd White said Tuesday that Union Pacific's lack of information about the incident most concerned him.

Some local residents called on the city to be more proactive.

One local resident told the Beaumont City Council that if her family needed emergency medical care, first responders could not have reached her home because of the traffic jam. She called the June 15 incident a "perfect storm" and added, "We need to do better."