U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy voiced support for legislation introduced by Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) that would establish new safety and security requirements tied to federal transit funding.

The Safe Transit Act would give the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) additional authority to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions and transit systems based on certain public safety policies and crime rates. The proposal would also require transit security investments, fare collection infrastructure, and onboard security equipment.

“Our work has slashed fare evasion, increased law enforcement patrols, and reduced crime — including right here in our nation’s capital. But for the stubborn states, cities, and systems that refuse to meet basic safety standards, we need more flexibility to hold them accountable,” Duffy said. “I want to thank Senator Hagerty for leading this critical legislation and ensuring hardworking taxpayer dollars deliver transit systems that Americans can be proud of.”

What the Safe Transit Act Would Require

Under the proposed legislation, USDOT could withhold 100% of federal funding from cities and local governments that fail to meet specified requirements related to fare evasion, restrictions on violent offenders using transit systems, and pretrial release policies for transit-related crimes committed by violent offenders, which is part of Iryna’s Law passed in North Carolina.

The legislation would also require transit agencies in urban areas to dedicate at least 3% of their federal formula funding to safety and crime-prevention initiatives. Eligible investments would include security cameras, improved lighting, emergency call boxes, and protective barriers for bus operators.

USDOT would additionally be authorized to withhold up to 50% of federal transit funding from cities with crime rates significantly above the national transit average.

The legislation calls for nationwide performance standards for physical turnstiles, gates, and other fare collection infrastructure. New buses and rail vehicles purchased with federal funding would also be required to include inward- and outward-facing security cameras and event recorders.

“My legislation would direct federal funding to communities that actually protect passengers and promote public safety,” Hagerty said. “It’s time to put Americans’ safety first.”

FTA Focuses on Transit Safety

The proposal comes as the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has pressed several major transit agencies to address safety and security concerns.

According to USDOT, the department has taken safety-related actions involving systems including the Chicago Transit Authority, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York, Los Angeles Metro, Charlotte Area Transit System, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, and Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.

“The federal government should not have to sound the alarm on insufficient transit safety protocols on the state and city level,” said FTA Acting Deputy Administrator Matthew Cahill. “This legislation gives FTA the backing we need to enforce basic safety standards, clean up high-crime systems, and put the safety of transit riders and workers first.”

USDOT cited several recent agency actions, including CTA increasing police patrols under a new security plan, Los Angeles Metro hiring a police chief to lead its dedicated transit police force, SEPTA expanding security monitoring, and BART installing new fare gates throughout its 50-station system.