The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) finalized requirements that strengthen the role of State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOAs). These state agencies were created to oversee rail transit in the U.S.

The final rule implements Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requirements that will reduce safety risks throughout the industry by allowing SSOAs to conduct inspections of rail transit agencies without warning. 

SSOAs will also be required to include inspection programs in their program standards and collect metrics and data that better explain rail transit safety.

"Today, we are making rail transit even safer for both transit workers and riders," said Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. "Providing oversight agencies with the necessary tools to do their jobs effectively is crucial. This rule reinforces FTA's ongoing comprehensive efforts to improve transit safety."

Establishing Safety Oversight

In 2016 the FTA published the Sate Safety Oversight Final Rule requiring states with rail transit systems to establish an FTA-certified State Safety Oversight program within three years.

Following that rule all 31 State Safety Oversight Agencies were certified by April 2019.

The recent updates allow SSOAs to enter rail transit facilities without prior notice to perform safety inspections. During the inspections they are required to collect data to identify and evaluate safety risks and prioritize inspections and develop and implement a risk-based inspection program for rail transit agencies they oversee.

The final rule also removes outdated references and clarifies existing requirements by simplifying requirements for the types of safety events that transit agencies must report and updating terminology to reflect current use.

Overseeing Internal Safety Reviews

The rule clarifies the requirements for SSOAs to oversee rail transit agencies’ internal safety reviews.

These requirements include the SSOA’s authority to oversee the safety of rail transit projects in the engineering and construction phase of development and when a corrective action plan is required.

The SSOAs’ authority was also reinforced to ensure rail transit agencies comply with the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program. The program standards must explain how the SSOA will ensure that the rail transit agency satisfies the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program requirements including their designation of personnel and identification of refresher training.

SSOAs also have the option to issue interim audit reports for rail transit agencies when conducting a triennial review of that agency over a three-year period.

"Safety is our Department’s top priority, and today we take another important step to protect rail workers and riders," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "This rule will give states greater authority and clarity to improve safety on the rail transit systems they oversee, including by conducting inspections without prior notice."