Transit Bus Safety Oversight Program

1. Transit Bus Safety Oversight Program Program Overview

2. Bus Safety Program Background • Began as a voluntary technical assistance program that resulted from findings and recommendations in 1998 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report • FTA Office of Transit Safety and Oversight (was the Office of Safety and Security) oversees the Program • Program title was originally the Bus Safety and Security Program • In collaboration with MOU Partners APTA, CTAA and AASHTO, the Bus Program promoted strategies and methods to improve bus safety, security, and emergency preparedness

3. What is the Current Bus Safety Program? • Founded on guidelines that were developed with input from the transit industry and national safety stakeholders • A framework to promote continuous improvement in safety programs • A means to provide practical safety technical assistance and resources to public transit bus agencies of all sizes • A resource to help guide transit agencies in implementing a Safety Management System (SMS)

4. A little background • The Bus Safety Program supports FTA’s mission to achieve the highest levels of transit system safety • The Program emphasizes • Coordination and collaboration with stakeholders • Incremental and sustained progress • Delivery of practical and effective technical assistance • Dialogue on safety issues • Program was restructured to support transit agency SMS implementation efforts

5. Who is involved in the Program? FTA’s Program Partners • Original co-signors to the 2003 MOU • American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) • American Public Transportation Association (APTA) • Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) • State DOTs • National RTAP • Sister Federal Agencies • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) • State transit associations • Educational institutions • Training Institutions • Transportation Safety Institute • National Transit Institute • Transit systems, large and small, across the nation

6. How do the Partners work together? • Through information sharing • By providing parallel and consistent SMS based safety guidance • Through coordination at workshops and conferences • Through ongoing interaction

7. Who should take advantage of the Program? • Public transit bus agencies • Previous focus was solely on rural 5311 and small urban 5307 transit agencies • Program expanded to include midsize and large urban transit agencies • Transit agencies looking to improve safety programs • Transit agencies looking for assistance in SMS implementation • State DOTs • Critical partner in promoting SMS and safety within smaller transit systems • Those generally interested in advancing the Program

8. What can transit agencies gain from the Program? • Familiarization with SMS guidance and strategies to enhance safety infrastructure • Orientation to the Bus Safety Program through FTA-sponsored Orientation Seminars • A strategy for evaluating existing safety programs and identifying SMS based safety gaps • Access to over resources in the website library to build and/or strengthen safety programs • Transit related safety news • Information about transit related events

9. What are primary methods of delivering the Bus Safety Program? • Technical assistance website resource library - http://bussafety.fta.dot.gov • Case studies and e-learning modules on website • Orientation Seminars sponsored by state DOTs • Presentations at transit conferences and other transit related events

10. What does the Resource Website contain? • Easy to find, practical resources and tools • Policies, procedures, handbooks, checklists, templates, forms, Federal regulations and guidance and other types of documents • SMS based tools to enhance existing safety programs • Transit safety news • Transit related events • Other useful tools and information http://bussafety.fta.dot.gov

11. What is the purpose of registering on the website? • Opportunity to specify interests through personal Dashboard • Ability to “bookmark” website resources for later retrieval from personal Dashboard • Receipt of blast emails on timely transit safety information • Access to all tools on website

12. What takes place during anOrientation Seminar? • Explanation of background and overview of Bus Safety Program • Explanation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) • Guidance and assistance provided to bus transit systems in • Identifying elements of Transit Bus Safety Excellence • Identifying strategies for SMS implementation • Identifying gaps and needs in existing safety programs • Utilizing website to locate and download information that will fill identified safety program gaps • Demonstration of Bus Safety Program website

13. What are the steps for hosting a Seminar? • FTA partners with DOTs to schedule seminar • DOT selects date for seminar • DOT and FTA collaborate on venue • DOT sends invitations to small urban Section 5307, Section 5311, and Section 5310 agencies • FTA provides presenters and handouts; pays for venue and A/V equipment • FTA does not pay for participant travel, lodging, or meals Slide 13

14. How are transit agencies being called to action? • Visit http://bussafety.fta.dot.gov • Read about the Bus Safety Program • Review “Getting Started” ideas and “First Steps” • Register on the website • Learn about Safety Management Systems (SMS) • Browse the resource library • Use website tools to learn about SMS safety related issues • Ask state DOT to host an Orientation Seminar if one has not already been held in the state

15. Thank You !