31 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 4/9/18:

 

FTA certifies rail safety oversight programs in Colorado, Virginia

 

In Colorado, the Public Utilities Commission will provide safety oversight of Denver's light- and commuter-rail networks. Photo – Federal Transit Administration

 

Virginia and Colorado have obtained federal certification of their transit-rail state safety oversight (SSO) programs, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced late last week.

Federal law requires states with transit-rail systems in operation to obtain FTA certification of their SSO programs by April 15, 2019. States with transit-rail systems in the engineering or construction phase also must get their SSO programs certified by the deadline.

To become certified, an SSO program must meet several federal statutory requirements, including establishing an SSO agency that is financially and legally independent from the transit agencies it oversees, FTA officials said in a press release.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

FTA email 5/9/18:

FTA Announces Certification of State Safety Oversight Program for West Virginia Ahead of Important Deadline

 

 

FTA today announced that West Virginia has obtained federal certification of its rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program, in advance of an important safety deadline. 

 

Federal law requires states with rail transit systems to obtain FTA certification of their SSO Programs by April 15, 2019. In West Virginia, the Department of Transportation is responsible for providing safety oversight of the Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit system.

 

Thirty states must obtain FTA certification of their SSO Programs by April 15, 2019. With today’s announcement, 12 states have now achieved SSO Program certification. By federal law, the deadline cannot be waived or extended.

 

If a state fails to meet the deadline, FTA is prohibited by law from awarding any new federal transit funds to transit agencies within the state until certification is achieved. 

 

Links:
State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program
State Safety Oversight Certification Status
SSO certification status table

 

[CNJRoss]

FTA email 5/15/18:

FTA Announces Certification of State Safety Oversight Program for Maryland Ahead of Important Deadline

 

 

FTA today announced that Maryland has obtained federal certification of its rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program, in advance of an important safety deadline. 

 

Federal law requires states with rail transit systems to obtain FTA certification of their SSO Programs by April 15, 2019. In Maryland, the Department of Transportation is responsible for providing safety oversight of the Maryland Transit Administration's heavy and light rail systems in Baltimore.

 

Thirty states must obtain FTA certification of their SSO Programs by April 15, 2019. With today’s announcement, 13 states have now achieved SSO Program certification. By federal law, the deadline cannot be waived or extended.

 

If a state fails to meet the deadline, FTA is prohibited by law from awarding any new federal transit funds to transit agencies within the state until certification is achieved. 

 

Links:

State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program

State Safety Oversight Certification Status

SSO certification status table

 

[CNJRoss]

FTA news release:

 

FTA Announces Certification of the State Safety Oversight Programs for North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Washington Ahead of Important Deadline

 

Tue, 07/10/2018

 

States must receive FTA certification by April 15, 2019 or new federal transit funds cannot be awarded

 

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced that North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Washington have obtained federal certification of their rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs, in advance of an important safety deadline.

 

Federal law requires states with rail transit systems to obtain FTA certification of their SSO Programs by April 15, 2019. By federal law, the deadline cannot be waived or extended. 

 

"FTA is pleased that North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Washington have developed safety oversight programs that meet federal certification requirements and will strengthen rail transit safety," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. "With this certification, transit agencies in the three jurisdictions can continue to receive federal funding."

 

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for providing safety oversight of the Charlotte Area Transit System light rail and streetcar systems.

 

The Puerto Rico Emergency and Disaster Management Bureau is responsible for providing safety oversight of the Tren Urbano heavy rail system.

 

The Washington State Department of Transportation is responsible for providing safety oversight of the Sound Transit light rail systems and City of Seattle street car and monorail systems.

 

By April 15, 2019, 30 states must obtain certification of 31 SSO Programs. With today’s announcement, 17 states have now achieved SSO Program certification.

 

If a state fails to meet the deadline, FTA is prohibited by law from awarding any new federal transit funds to transit agencies within the state until certification is achieved.  A certification status table by state is available online.  

 

To achieve FTA certification, an SSO Program must meet several federal statutory requirements, including establishing an SSO agency that is financially and legally independent from the rail transit agencies it oversees.  In addition, a state must ensure that its SSO agency adopts and enforces relevant federal and state safety laws, has investigatory authority, and has appropriate financial and human resources for the number, size and complexity of the rail transit systems within the state’s jurisdiction.  Furthermore, SSO agency personnel responsible for performing safety oversight activities must be appropriately trained.

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[CNJRoss]

FTA email 7/25/18:

FTA Announces Certification of the State Safety Oversight Programs for Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Wisconsin Ahead of Important Deadline

 

 

FTA today announced that Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Wisconsin have obtained federal certification of their rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs, in advance of an important safety deadline. 

 

Federal law requires states with rail transit systems to obtain FTA certification of their SSO Programs by April 15, 2019.  By federal law, the deadline cannot be waived or extended. 

 

Links: 
Press Release
State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs 
State Safety Oversight Certification Status

 

[CNJRoss]

FTA news release:

 

FTA Announces Certification of the State Safety Oversight Program for Michigan Ahead of Important Deadline

 

8/16/2018

States must receive FTA certification by April 15, 2019 or new federal transit funds cannot be awarded

 

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced that Michigan has obtained federal certification of its rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program, in advance of an important safety deadline.

Federal law requires states with rail transit systems to obtain FTA certification of their SSO Programs by April 15, 2019. By federal law, the deadline cannot be waived or extended. 

 

"FTA is pleased that Michigan has developed a safety oversight program that meets federal certification requirements and will strengthen rail transit safety," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. "With certification, transit agencies in Michigan can continue to receive federal funding."

 

The Michigan Department of Transportation is responsible for providing safety oversight of the Detroit People Mover automated guideway and the Q Line streetcar systems.

 

By April 15, 2019, 30 states must obtain certification of 31 SSO Programs. With today’s announcement, 22 states have now achieved SSO Program certification. A certification status table by state is available online.  

 

If a state fails to meet the deadline, FTA is prohibited by law from awarding any new federal transit funds to transit agencies within the state until certification is achieved. Currently, there are two certification applications not yet submitted to FTA – Florida and the multi-state program for the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.  (Emphasis added)

 

To achieve FTA certification, an SSO Program must meet several federal statutory requirements, including establishing an SSO agency that is financially and legally independent from the rail transit agencies it oversees. In addition, a state must ensure that its SSO agency adopts and enforces relevant federal and state safety laws, has investigatory authority, and has appropriate financial and human resources for the number, size and complexity of the rail transit systems within the state’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, SSO agency personnel responsible for performing safety oversight activities must be appropriately trained.

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[CNJRoss]

FTA web page:

 

State Safety Oversight Program Certification Status Table

 

sso-certification-status-table-8-16-2018.pdf

 

By federal public transportation safety law, 30 states with rail transit systems are required to establish an FTA-certified State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program by April 15, 2019. If a state does not obtain certification by this deadline, federal law does not allow FTA to obligate any federal public transportation funds to any public transportation agencies throughout that state until certification is achieved. This tracking table depicts each state's progress toward FTA certification.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

FTA email 8/29/18:
 

FTA Announces Certification of the State Safety Oversight Programs for Illinois and Tennessee Ahead of Important Deadline

 

 

FTA today announced that Illinois and Tennessee have obtained federal certification of their rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs, in advance of an important safety deadline.

 

Federal law requires states with rail transit systems to obtain FTA certification of their SSO Programs by April 15, 2019.  By federal law, the deadline cannot be waived or extended. 

 

With today’s announcement, 24 states have now achieved SSO Program certification. A certification status table by state is available online.  

 

Links: 
Press Release
State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs 
State Safety Oversight Certification Status

 

[CNJRoss]

FTA email 9/24/18:
 

FTA Announces Certification of the State Safety Oversight Programs for Illinois and Tennessee Ahead of Important Deadline

 

 

FTA today announced that Missouri has obtained federal certification of its rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program, in advance of an important safety deadline.

 

Federal law requires states with rail transit systems to obtain FTA certification of their SSO Programs by April 15, 2019. By federal law, the deadline cannot be waived or extended. 

 

With today’s announcement, 25 states have now achieved SSO Program certification. A certification status table by state is available online.  

 

Links: 
Press Release
State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs 
State Safety Oversight Certification Status

 

[CNJRoss]

SSOC not certified as of 9/24/18:

 

State               Applications    Certification Stage     FTA Formula Funding (Est. FY 2019)

 

California        Under Review                 3                           $1,399,901,100

New Jersey     Under Review                 3                             $630,788,783

New York        Under Review                 3                          $1,523,909,156

Oklahoma       Under Review                 3                                $52,170,951

Florida             Submitted                       3                              $393,569,020

DC, MD, VA    Not Submitted                 3                              $638,233,977                                                                                    

(Metrorail Safety Commission)

 

Stage 3

–

State has submitted all required documents to FTA and is engaged in a dialogue with FTA to address comments and questions. Where applicable, all required legislation has been enacted