Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Federal Transit Administration

Obama Administration’s Transit Safety Rules to Eventually Apply to Buses

5:08 PM EST on November 16, 2009

The Obama administration's proposal for a new federal role in transit safety oversight would eventually apply to buses, although the first round of rules would be directed at subways and light rail, according to the U.S. DOT.

p124901_Miami_Miami_Dade_County_Transit.jpgTransit buses, such as this Miami model, are expected to be part of the new federal safety plan. (Photo: IgoUgo.com)

The new transit safety plan, including a request for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) authority to regulate buses, will be sent to Congress in the coming weeks for translation into legislative form. The plan will also receive a House hearing on December 8.

"The administration expects its early efforts, however, to be focused on addressing rail transit safety," the DOT wrote in a statement on the proposed legislation, tentatively titled the Public Transportation Safety Program Act.

The DOT's statement depicted the motivation for its move as broader than the fatal June collision of two trains on Washington D.C.'s Metrorail network. A transit safety task force headed by deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari also reviewed the July crash on San Francisco's Muni system, a crash on Boston's light rail in May, and a 2006 derailment on a below-ground stretch of Chicago's transit network.

"DOT is also seeing some warning signs regarding increased collision rates, derailment rates, and worker fatalities that give us cause for concern," the agency stated.

Citing past criticism of the federal approach to regulating inter-city passenger rail, transit advocates have raised concerns that local transit authorities' already tight budgets could be strained even further by the cost of complying with new FTA rules -- prompting service cuts and fare increases.

One detail that may answer some questions about the federal process: Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood plans to appoint an advisory committee -- with local transit agencies likely represented -- to counsel Washington on the ins and outs of crafting new transit safety rules, according to the DOT.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday’s Headlines Don’t Feel the Need for Speed

Tell me again, which constitutional amendment is it that gives people the right to drive as fast as they want?

December 1, 2023

Komanoff: IMHO, TMRB is A-OK

Here’s what’s to like about the Traffic Mobility Review Board's central business district toll recommendations. It's a lot!

December 1, 2023

Talking Headways Podcast: The Sexy World of Bus Speeds

When you start to add up the numbers, you can see why agency leaders would be interesting in finding ways to reduce those costs.

November 30, 2023

Thursday’s Headlines See Daylight

Daylighting, or removing parking near intersections, is an often overlooked way to improve pedestrian safety.

November 30, 2023

Why So Many U.S. Drivers Think Speeding Is Perfectly Safe

Do Americans hit lethal speeds because they're in a rush, or because they have no idea that they're increasing their chances of death with every tick of the odometer?

November 30, 2023
See all posts