Transportation Safety Message from FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff
Dear Colleague:
As the new Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, I want
to take this opportunity to reiterate the Department’s position, as
voiced by Secretary LaHood, that transportation safety “has always been
and must continue to be the central focus of the Department.”
In line with this priority, I am urging each of you to closely review
your policies, procedures, and enforcement mechanisms targeting the
inappropriate use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices
by safety critical personnel. I am asking that you perform this
evaluation, making improvements as necessary, and satisfy yourselves
that your systems effectively address the hazards that inappropriate use
of these devices can create.
Cell phone use or “texting” has played a role in a number of public
transportation accidents. In just two recent accidents, 25 people died,
hundreds were injured, and millions of dollars worth of property was
damaged.
Numerous studies have shown that the use of cell phones by vehicle
operators is a dangerous distraction that can result in accidents. A
number of studies and other resources on this subject can be found on
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration web page
(http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/).
While public transportation remains a statistically safe mode of travel,
these high profile accidents have raised public concerns about the
adequacy of safety controls over cell phone use in the transit industry.
There are a number of related policy models in our industry:
* Virtually all agencies prohibit the use of cell phones and
personal electronic devices while operating a vehicle.
* Some agencies have established a policy requiring that personal
cell phones and electronic devices be turned off and stowed off the
person while operating a vehicle or performing a safety critical
function.
* Others have prohibited personal cell phones or electronic
devices in operating cabs altogether.
* If personal cell phones are prohibited, your policy review
should address a method employees’ loved ones can use to contact an on
duty employee with urgent messages (through a dispatch center for
example).
* If personal cell phones are prohibited your policy review should
also ensure that reliable methods are in place to report emergencies.
You should carefully evaluate the options and look at policies that best
fit with your operations while effectively addressing the risk that
improper use of personal cell phones and electronic devices can create.
In the end, policies and procedures are only effective if they are
clearly communicated, understood, and enforced. I urge you to take a
systems view of this issue and look not only at the cell phone policies
that are in place, but also at the systems that support training,
communication, hazard recognition and enforcement. Our industry needs
to continue building a culture of safety where unsafe acts are not
permitted by management or by peers.
I know that you join me in a strong desire to keep public transit as one
of the safest transportation choices for the American people. I look
forward to working with you on this effort now and in the years to come.
Sincerely yours,
Peter M. Rogoff
Administrator
ARRA Operating Assistance Dear Colleague Letter – Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009
Dear Colleague:
My thanks to all of you for your hard work and timely response in identifying “ready to go” capital projects to implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This unprecedented opportunity will serve as a critical step in addressing the tremendous need for capital investment in public transportation and maintaining our transit systems in a state of good repair.
I write today to call your attention to some added flexibility that is now being granted to FTA recipients of ARRA funds. Moments ago, President Obama signed the Supplemental Appropriations Act for 2009. This new law includes a provision allowing up to ten percent of each amount apportioned in the Recovery Act for the urbanized (Section 5307) and non-urbanized (Section 5311) formula programs to be used for operating assistance. This provision should provide some much needed relief to transit agencies that have been required to layoff employees and/or curtail service during this period of economic uncertainty.
Importantly, while this new law alters the eligible purposes of ARRA funds, it does not alter in any way the requirement that 50 percent of ARRA transit formula funds be obligated by September lst. My goal is to ensure that no FTA grantee forfeit any funds for failure to comply with this deadline. So FTA staff in the regions and in headquarters will continue to work with you to ensure the prompt obligation of these monies. This limited, mid-stream change in the eligible purposes of ARRA funds should not hinder our efforts. Should you choose to apply for or modify a grant to include eligible operating expenses, my staff in the regional offices is ready to help you decide the best way for you to proceed. The TEAM system has already been modified to allow for grants that include operating assistance. Consistent with the stated purposes of the Recovery Act, FTA will expect operating assistance dollars to be used for the purposes of job creation, job preservation, and service preservation.
Some information and instructions for applying for operating assistance under the ARRA have been posted to the FTA website at http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_10006.html.
If you still have questions regarding these procedures after consulting the website, please reach out to FTA ‘s regional staff.
I am excited about the contributions public transportation is making to the American economic recovery and I appreciate your leadership in this area. If I can be of any further assistance on this or any other matter, please feel free to contact me,
Yours truly,
Peter Rogoff
Updates to FTA's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Website
The Federal Transit Administration continues to develop its ARRA resource site, providing valuable assistance and guidance. You may view the site and subscribe to automatic updates
here.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $346.2 Million in Federal Recovery Act Funds for Transit Improvements Throughout U.S.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that 54 grants totaling $346.2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) are being awarded for much needed transit improvements throughout the U.S.
“There is a positive economic multiplier effect each time a recovery grant is awarded”, said Secretary LaHood. “The transit agency can now advertise for contracts, contractors can then begin hiring workers and workers can begin spending the money they earn, putting it back into the economy. That’s economic stimulus.”
These funds are made available through the Federal Transit Administration assistance programs. More than $1.79 billion has been made available throughout the nation since President Obama signed the law.
“These projects will put people back to work quickly, improve transportation options for millions, and will help rebuild the nation’s economy”, said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 2009, signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009, includes $8.4 billion for transit capital improvements. This law implements the transit formula program related provisions of the ARRA and provides program and grant application requirements for these funds, to be made available through Federal Transit Administration assistance programs.
APTA Recommendations on Federal Public Transportation Authorizing Law
On behalf of the more than 1,500 member organizations, the American Public Transportation Association presented recommendations for the next federal surface transportation authorizing law. View the details here.
FTA Administrator Rogoff Addresses CTAA EXPO
Just six days on the job, FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff traveled from Washington, D.C., to Providence, R.I., to make his first public address as administrator to CTAA’s annual EXPO. Mr. Rogoff greatly impressed the overflow crowd at the EXPO’s opening luncheon with his address and his commitment as administrator addressing SAFETEA-LU reauthorization, operating assistance for transit operators, economic stimulus investment and much more.
“This is a time of extraordinary challenges and opportunities for transit. I want the FTA to be informed by your views routinely,” Rogoff said.
After having a lively discussion with the CTAA Board of Directors, Mr. Rogoff urged all EXPO attendees to submit their ARRA funding applications well in advance of his agency’s July 1 deadline and noted that if in any supplemental a percentage of stimulus funds become eligible for operating costs, the plans will be able to be amended.
“Our charge is to spend the Recovery Act investment wisely and rapidly,” said Rogoff. “My goal is to make sure we don’t forfeit a single dime in the process.”
Most importantly, Mr. Rogoff, who has more than two decades of experience with the Senate Appropriations Committee, listed a number of federal agencies with whom he would like to see expanded cooperation with public and community transit — including HHS and the Department of Energy.
“We [the FTA] need to be in the room any place they’re spending a penny on transportation,” he said to enthusiastic applause at the luncheon.
Rogoff complimented Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood as a leader who understands the transit needs of the nation and one who isn’t afraid to voice his opinion in Washington and elsewhere.