FTA to solicit comments on proposed rulemaking for transit safety, asset management

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking public comments on proposed rules for the agency's new authority over transit safety.

After the FTA publishes its "Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Safety and Transit Asset Management" in the Federal Register sometime this week, the agency will accept comments from the general public, safety advocates and industry leaders for the next 90 days.

The rulemaking is required by the federal transportation law known as MAP-21, which created a new safety oversight authority for the FTA.

"This administration fought hard for the ability to provide the same level of safety oversight for people riding and working on transit that we do for other forms of transportation," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a press release.

Under MAP-21, the FTA's new authority includes developing and implementing national, state and transit-agency safety plans; and implementing a national transit asset management program to help transit agencies establish a systematic way to manage their assets and establish performance measures for improving their facilities, equipment, rolling stock and infrastructure.