FTA Administrator Commits to Collaborating with Transit Authorities on Safety, Efficiency, and Accessibility

Key Takeaways

Safety, efficiency, and accessibility are top priorities for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), according to Administrator Marcus Molinaro.
Federal funding and regulations are shifting, emphasizing the need for local authorities to confront crime and enhance accessibility within transit systems.
Streamlining regulations and supporting U.S. transit manufacturers are essential for improving project delivery and overall transit experience.

Federal Transit Goals Addressed at APTA Meeting

Federal Transit Administrator Marcus Molinaro highlighted the FTA’s core priorities during an address at the American Public Transportation Association’s annual meeting in Boston. He stressed that safety, efficiency, and accessibility are pivotal for the agency’s operations. Molinaro stated that American families must have trust in public transportation systems to reach destinations effectively and safely.

Recent changes in federal priorities have affected cities, states, and transit authorities. In April, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy signaled potential funding cuts for projects lacking diversity and inclusion practices. Later, the FTA proposed revisions to eliminate the “social cost of carbon” from Capital Investment Grant program evaluations, reverting to pre-2013 methodologies.

Molinaro listed several top priorities for transit agencies and local authorities:

Enhancing Safety: The FTA aims to reduce crime on transit systems aggressively. Molinaro emphasized that safety is a top concern and called out crimes such as assaults and drug use, saying these incidents should not be normalized. He criticized local authorities that tolerate crime, insisting that public transport should not serve as shelters for the homeless or become environments that foster lawlessness.

Increasing Accessibility: Universal accessibility is a significant initiative. Molinaro pledged to prioritize both transit vehicles and stations for all, stating compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is simply a baseline.

Efficient Management of Transit Systems: The FTA will focus on ensuring that existing systems are well-managed before new revenue-generating opportunities are explored. The administration intends to measure transit systems against economic growth and opportunity benchmarks.

Streamlining Regulations: Molinaro noted the push to expedite project timelines by simplifying regulatory processes. This initiative involves the Department of Transportation’s updating of procedures under the National Environmental Policy Act to enhance efficiency and minimize delays.

Supporting Transit Equipment Manufacturers: The administrator underscored the necessity for robust resources for major transit equipment manufacturers, ensuring they can meet transit agency needs reliably. Furthermore, he encouraged public-private partnerships to promote better integration of transit with local development.

Molinaro concluded by emphasizing that every decision made should be guided by a singular question: “Will this make transit safer, more accessible, and more useful for American families?” This focus reflects the administration’s commitment to advancing public transit systems to better serve community needs.

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