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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Safety Training

Enhanced Transit Safety and Crime Prevention Initiative

To help ensure the continued safety of our nation’s public transit systems, FTA launched the Enhanced Transit Safety and Crime Prevention Initiative to provide information and resources to help transit agencies address and prevent crime on their systems and protect transit workers and riders. 

Transit agencies can use FTA resources to prevent and address crime in their systems and protect transit workers and riders. These resources also can be used for overtime pay for enhanced security personnel presence, mental health and crisis intervention specialists. 

Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program

The Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program Final Rule (PTSCTP regulation) establishes a uniform curriculum for safety training that consists of minimum requirements to enhance the technical proficiency of rail transit safety personnel. It replaces interim requirements in effect since May 2015. The final rule became effective on August 20, 2018.

The new rule (49 C.F.R. Part 672) implements FTA’s statutory requirements at 49 U.S.C. § 5329(c). The Training Rule sets forth federal requirements for the certification and training of State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) personnel and contractors who conduct safety audits and examinations of rail transit systems and rail transit agency (RTA) personnel and contractors who are directly responsible for safety oversight.

The Training Rule replaces the Interim Safety Certification Training Program Provisions effective May 28, 2015. FTA encourages other safety personnel to voluntarily participate in the safety certification training program, including bus safety personnel.

Safety Rule Overview Webinars

FTA Final Safety Rules Overview Webinar 1: Wednesday, July 25, 2018

FTA Final Safety Rules Overview Webinar 2L Tuesday, July 31, 2018 

Training Rule Webinars

Training Rule Webinar 1: Thursday, August 2, 2018

Training Rule Webinar 2: Thursday, August 16, 2018

Training Rule Webinar 3: Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Applicability

Recipients of federal financial assistance (49 U.S.C. Chapter 53):

  • SSOA personnel and contractors designated to conduct safety audits and examinations of rail transit systems.
  • RTAs and contractors who have been designated as directly responsible for the safety oversight.

How do I enroll in the Training Program and obtain an Individual Training Plan (ITP)*?

  • Email your request to enroll in the Training Program and receive an ITP
  • Include the following information in your email: 
    • The agency you work for
    • Your role within that agency
    • Your phone number

*The Individual Training Plan specifies the minimum training requirements an individual must complete to satisfy the PTSCTP  requirements. 

Required Courses

All Required Participants (Appendix A)

  • SMS Awareness (One-Hour Course; E-Learning Delivery)
  • SMS Safety Assurance (Two-Hour Course; E-learning Delivery) 
  • SMS Principles for Transit (20 Hours) 
  • TSSP Curriculum (Minus Transit System Security (TSS—Course credit will be provided if a participant has a Course Completion Certificate for TSSP courses before enrolling in the Training Program.
    • Transit Rail System Safety (36 Hours)
    • Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies (32 Hours)
    • Transit Rail Incident Investigation (36 Hours)

SSOA Personnel/SSOA Contractor Support Personnel

  • SMS for SSO Programs (16 hours) 

Bus Personnel (Voluntary)

  • SMS Awareness (Online Course)   
  • Safety Assurance (E-Learning Course)
  • SMS Principles for Transit
  • Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies
  • Transit Bus System Safety 
  • Fundamentals of Bus Collision Investigation                                                                  

View the FY22 Training Course Schedule or visit the FTA-sponsored USDOT Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) for additional courses.

Registering for Courses

Register for courses through the FTA-sponsored USDOT TSI. 

  • Contact TSI or call (405) 954-3682 for registration assistance and course information.

To create an account:

  1. Go to the USDOT TSI website 
  2. Select the “Public Transportation Safety (FTA)" link located in the gray box on the right side of the page.
  3. Scroll down to the “Welcome to Transit” box on the left side of the page and select the “sign up for account” link or choose the wheel from the top right corner and click “register.”
  4. Complete the required fields and then click “Log In” at the bottom of the page.

To register for classes:

  1. Login with your email or username and password.
  2. Select “Search Catalog” to search for specific courses, dates and locations.
  3. Click “Request” to request a seat in the class.

Once logged into your account, you can update your profile and view your transcript (your course enrollment schedule and completed courses).

To request credit for an equivalent course:

Questions?

Send questions about course offerings, ITPs, credit for non-FTA-sponsored coursework and other safety training-related matters. 

For questions on how to create a TSI account and register for classes, contact TSI at  transit@dot.gov or 405-954-3682 

Last updated: Thursday, September 8, 2022