State regulators fine railroad transportation company

OLYMPIA – Washington state transportation safety regulators have fined a company that provides rides for railroad crews more than $170,000 for repeat safety violations.

The Utilities and Transportation Commission said on Wednesday that Professional Transportation Inc. violated conditions of a 2015 order by committing 324 violations of driver medical certification and vehicle safety rules.

Railroad crew members are required to accept rides from PTI as a condition of employment. The company has been involved in three serious injury accidents since 2013.

A state investigation found two drivers who had altered medical certification cards. Inspectors also found 36 instances where drivers moved passengers without being medically examined and 111 times when drivers had expired medical certificates.

Drivers who are not medically certified may have a medical condition that puts the public at risk.