NOW AVAILABLE: April 2022 FTA Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight Newsletter

The Federal Transit Administration sent this bulletin at 04/26/2022 10:05 AM EDT

APRIL 2022

The Federal Transit Administration’s Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight is a monthly newsletter about safety and oversight topics, events, training and guidance that affect the public transportation industry.

READ THE APRIL 2022 ISSUE

Federal Mask Requirement Lifted for Public Transportation

As a result of a court order, effective April 18, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) January 29, 2021 Order requiring masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs is no longer in effect. Therefore, CDC will not enforce the Order. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time. These changes do not preclude a transportation operator from imposing its own face mask requirements. Please follow the guidance of your local transit agency/authority.

In addition, effective immediately, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will not enforce its mask-related Security Directives. TSA is also withdrawing its Security Directive 1582/84-21-01E, which was issued on April 15, 2022, and was scheduled to take effect on April 19, 2022.

For transit safety questions, please submit your question(s) through the FTA Contact Us form.

Cybersecurity Resources for Transit Agencies

FTA published Cybersecurity Resources to support transit agencies during a time of unprecedented ransomware attacks targeting the transportation sector. We encourage you to share these widely resources with your networks. Please
share feedback to FTASafetyStakeholder@dot.gov.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Updates to the PTASP Regulation

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed into law on November 15, 2021, changes the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) requirements at 49 U.S.C. § 5329(d). These requirements apply to agencies that are required to have an Agency Safety Plan in place under the PTASP regulation (49 CFR Part 673). Many of the PTASP requirements under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law apply only to certain transit agencies based on the size of the urbanized area they serve. For additional information, visit the FTA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law webpage.

FHWA Details Efforts to Advance Complete Streets Design Model, Improve Safety for All Road Users in Report to Congress

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released a report to Congress detailing the agency’s commitment to advance widespread implementation of the Complete Streets design model to help improve safety and accessibility for all users. The report identifies five opportunities that will inform FHWA as it moves ahead with its efforts to increase the number of federally funded transportation projects that are routinely planned, designed, built and operated as Complete Streets.

FTA Participation in Recent Transit Industry Events

On March 13, FTA leadership provided updates on FTA’s ongoing efforts to reduce safety risks and improve transit safety and highlighted public transportation’s connections and FTA resources regarding the Safe System Approach during the Lifesavers Conference in Chicago, IL. On March 14, FTA leadership provided an update on FTA’s implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve transit safety during the American Public Transportation Association Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. Both presentations along with other FTA conference presentations are available on the FTA website.

FY2022 TSI Safety Training

Registration is open for Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) safety training courses for transit personnel. These courses also support FTA grantees subject to the PTSCTP regulation with initial training and refresher training requirements. The FY2022 TSI Training Schedule is also available. All rail PTSCTP courses will be delivered virtually.

The availability of in-person TSI courses depends on each host’s local guidance. Please contact TSI at TSI@dot.gov or 405-954-3682 for more information. TSI can verify the status of scheduled courses and assist with any other course-related questions.

NTI Virtual AAP and VTW Courses

The National Transit Institute (NTI) offers virtual Assault Awareness and Prevention (AAP) and Violence in the Transit Workplace (VTW) courses. The AAP and VTW courses support the FTA Enhanced Transit Safety and Crime Prevention Initiative to provide information and resources to help transit agencies address and prevent crime on their systems and protect transit workers and riders. To participate in these free courses, complete the quick self-registration. Please contact NTI at 848-932-1700 or nti_info@nti.rutgers.edu with any questions. For questions about FTA safety training offerings, please contact FTASafetyPromotion@dot.gov.