Federal agencies seeking comments on proposed policy for MPO boards

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration are seeking public comments on a jointly proposed policy that would require Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in large urban areas to include transit representation on their boards.

Comments on the agencies' proposal, which was published recently in the Federal Register, are due Oct. 30, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

APTA's Policy and Planning Committee and Metropolitan Planning Subcommittee will initiate the association's draft comments for review by members, APTA officials said.

The federal agencies' proposal addresses a requirement under the federal transportation law known as MAP-21.

Last week, the FTA announced it is seeking public comments on its new safety authority established under MAP-21. The agency published its "Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Safety and Transit Asset Management" in the Oct. 3 Federal Register.