Operation Lifesaver solicits applications for transit-rail safety grants

Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) announced last week that the application period is open for its 2019 Rail Transit Safety Education Grants.

The grants offer a total of $175,000 in funding for transit agencies, other government agencies that provide transit service and state Operation Lifesaver programs to conduct transit-rail safety education and public awareness activities.

“We are grateful to the Federal Transit Administration for [its] support that helps make these grants, as well as our ongoing rail safety education and outreach efforts, possible,” said OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh in a press release.

Grant amounts are capped at $20,000 and require non-federal matching funds of at least 25 percent of project costs. Projects must focus on safety education or public awareness initiatives in communities with operating or planned transit-rail systems. OLI must approve all materials created as part of the grant and all grants must be coordinated with state Operation Lifesaver programs.

Applications are due April 22. OL expects to announce grant awards by May 31.

Applicants are encouraged to review OLI’s report, "Best Practices in Rail Transit Safety Education," which features guidance and recommendations for developing transit safety education campaigns. Additional information about the 2019 grants is available online.