Overview

FTA’s State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program details the requirements that states must meet to oversee rail transit systems' safety for passengers and workers. FTA’s SSO Program final rule, initially published in 2016 and updated in October 2024, requires a strengthened SSO Program for oversight at rail transit agencies and provides greater authority for SSO Agencies (SSOAs) to oversee their transit agencies.

FTA provides federal funds through the SSO Formula Grant Program for states to develop and carry out SSO Programs, and FTA is required to certify each state’s program to ensure compliance. If a state fails to obtain certification for its SSO Program by the deadline, FTA cannot obligate any funds to public transportation agencies throughout that state until certification is achieved.

On March 18, 2019, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced that all 31 SSO Programs across the country required to be certified before the statutory April 15, 2019 deadline had done so and were providing more rigorous state safety oversight of federally funded rail transit systems. 

SSO Program Certification

Each state with a rail transit system(s) must be federally certified for compliance with the SSO Program rule (49 CFR Part 674). To help states meet the requirements, FTA developed an SSO Certification Toolkit that provides guidance for program requirements and offers technical assistance to SSOAs. Prior to certification, FTA may conduct on-site verification or require states to address any deficiencies.