Ohio Transit Safety Plans Wins FTA OK

Ohio is the first state to have its state safety oversight program certified by the Federal Transit Administration.

The plan applies to transit-rail agencies and give the state greater authority to oversee its transit agencies.

Federal law requires 30 states to obtain FTA certification for their safety oversight programs by April 2019. States failing to win certification will not receive transit funds.

“Certification is an important achievement by the state of Ohio and demonstrates that the Ohio SSO Program has the authority, resources, and expertise needed to oversee the rail transit systems in that state,” said FTA Deputy Administrator Jane Williams.

Rail transit lines in Ohio are located in Cleveland and Cincinnati.

The state safety safety oversight agency must adopt and enforce relevant federal and state safety laws. It must have investigatory authority and the appropriate financial and human resources for the number, size and complexity of transit-rail systems in its jurisdiction.