U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced the Safe Transit Accountability Act, a bill aimed at changing how public transit agencies implement safety measures. Representatives Burgess Owens (R-UT) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) have presented similar legislation in the House of Representatives. The proposal has received endorsements from the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
Senator Lee stated, “American families deserve to have safe, reliable public transit. Under President Biden, labor unions were given a veto over public transit agency safety plans, allowing them to stall projects and interfere with federal funding for safe transit. Just last year, such obstruction threatened resources for the Utah Transit Authority. The Safe Transit Accountability Act ensures that these disputes can be resolved by the executive authority responsible for rider and operator safety.”
Representative Burgess Owens said, “The Safe Transit Accountability Act restores common sense by removing bureaucratic roadblocks and putting safety decisions back in the hands of those responsible for running our transit systems. I’m proud to lead this bill with Congressman Smucker in the House and Senator Lee in the Senate to empower agencies like the Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Transit Authority to protect riders and ensure Utah’s growing communities have the safe, reliable service they deserve.”
Representative Lloyd Smucker commented, “Millions of Americans rely on public transit every day, and travelers deserve to know their safety is always a priority. I am grateful for Senator Lee’s partnership in introducing the Safe Transit Accountability Act, which streamlines transit system operations and cuts red tape to efficiently address risk and safety concerns. I’m committed to ensuring transit systems here in Pennsylvania and across the nation provide the service America’s travelers deserve.”
Carlton Christensen, Chair of UTA’s Board of Trustees, added: “Safety is and always will be the Utah Transit Authority’s top priority, and the Safe Transit Accountability Act is an important step forward in strengthening public transit safety across the country. This legislation ensures efficient compliance with federal safety standards while empowering transit systems to best protect our riders and employees. UTA thanks Senator Lee for his leadership in introducing this important bill in the Senate.”
Carlos Braceras, Executive Director of UDOT stated: “A strong safety plan is essential—not just for compliance, but to protect riders and operators every day. This legislation brings needed clarity to the process and helps ensure transit agencies can act quickly and responsibly. We appreciate Representative Owens’ and Senator Lee’s leadership and are proud to support this commonsense legislation.”
Paul P. Skoutelas, President & CEO of APTA said: “APTA applauds Senator Mike Lee’s leadership in introducing the Safe Transit Accountability Act. This bill addresses a real operational challenge by giving public transit agencies the clarity they need to meet Federal safety requirements while ensuring the highest standards for the millions who depend on their services every day.”
According to background provided with this announcement, current law stemming from 2021 requires certain federally funded transit agencies to form Safety Committees made up equally of labor union representatives and agency members as mandated by provisions included in President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). These committees must review or approve Public Transit Agency Safety Plans (PTASPs). Disagreements within these committees can delay approval processes.
In December 2024, UTA faced delays when labor representatives stalled approval of its PTASP during committee negotiations; as a result federal funding was threatened by potential suspension from The Federal Transit Administration.
The new legislative proposal seeks changes so that executive authorities at agencies can resolve such disputes more directly—removing what sponsors describe as opportunities for labor unions to block or delay adoption of required safety measures.
