The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced a proposed update to a Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program regulation.
The change would expand refresher training requirements for mandatory participants and allow for greater flexibility in the curriculum to address changing industry training needs. Administrative requirements also would be streamlined to help ensure individuals who serve in designated roles are enrolled in the program and complete training requirements on time.
The proposed changes were published last week in the Federal Register in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The agency seeks public comments from rail transit and state safety oversight agency personnel.
“Public transportation is the safest mode of surface transportation, but it can be even safer for both passengers and transit workers,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said. “We want every subway, light rail, and streetcar rider to feel confident the workers in charge of safety are trained effectively to carry out their important roles.”
The program complements safety training requirements for rail and bus transit workers in the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans regulation. It sets requirements for safety professionals at state safety oversight agencies.
The proposed change builds upon a program rule that established a uniform curriculum for safety oversight training.
Comments close after 60 days.