On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that it was seeking feedback on its updated plan to strengthen safety for both transit workers and riders.
The proposed update to the National Public Transportation Safety Plan creates a blueprint for transit agencies to adopt stronger safety measures and was published on the Federal Register on Wednesday. The public now has 60-days to comment on the plan and its proposed changes.
“Safety remains our top priority, and this updated National Public Transportation Safety Program will help make a safe transportation option even safer,” Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg said. “This updated guidance incorporates new requirements in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and we look forward to working closely with transit agencies across the country on further improving safety for workers and riders.”
The plan will be FTA’s primary guidance to improve transit safety performance on all federally-supported public transportation systems, the agency said, and will provide best practices, tools, technical assistance, standards and other resources to help make transit systems safer for all Americans. The latest plan would replace the original plan published in 2017.
“As millions of Americans take transit to jobs, schools, and other daily activities, we must continue to ensure safety remains the top priority,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said. “These proposed updates enhance FTA’s safety framework, as future safety-related rules, regulations, and guidance will be informed by the National Public Transportation Safety Plan.”
The plan lays out measures to reduce injuries and fatalities, provides voluntary standards for bus transit and proposes several performance measures, including strategies to reduce the incidents and rates of collisions, transit worker injuries and fatalities and transit worker assaults.
The public comment period closes on July 31, 2023.