While rail transit is safe, the Administration believes we must take serious steps now to make it even safer and ensure that it remains safe. We are all aware that rail transit has the potential for catastrophic accidents with multiple injuries, considerable property damage, and heightened public concern.  We all must focus our attention and resources on this important issue, if we are to maintain public confidence.  Moreover, while transit remains a safe mode of travel, providing almost four billion passenger-trips a year, we see warning signs regarding the frequency of derailments, collisions, and passenger casualties -- on which we must remain focused.

The Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, transmitted a formal legislative proposal to Congress on December 7, 2009 to further these aims and is currently awaiting Congressional action and direction. 

More information about this initiative is available from the links on the right or sign up to receive email updates from the link above.