SUBJECT
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Authorizing the Laredo Mass Transit Board to approve the fifth version of the Texas Department of Transportation sponsored Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) and establishing Safety Performance Targets for the Laredo Transit Management Inc. - El Metro.
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PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
On April 17, 2023, the Laredo Mass Transit Board approved the third revised Texas Department of Transportation sponsored Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan and establishing Safety Performance Targets for El Metro Transit.
BACKGROUND
On July 19, 2018, the FTA published the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP)Final Rule,49 CFR Part 673, which took effect July 19, 2019, requiring all FTA Section 5307 recipient transit agencies to, within one calendar year after July 19, 2019, establish a PTASP that meets the requirements of Part 673.
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) granted the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) the authority to establish and enforce a comprehensive framework to oversee public transportation safety throughout the United States. MAP-21 expanded the regulatory authority of FTA to oversee safety, providing an opportunity to assist transit agencies in moving towards a more holistic, performance-based approach to Safety Management Systems (SMS). This authority was continued through the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act).
In compliance with MAP-21 and the FAST Act, FTA promulgated a Public Transportation Safety Program on August 11, 2016, that adopted SMS as the foundation for developing and implementing a Safety Program. FTA is committed to developing, implementing, and consistently improving strategies and processes to ensure that transit achieves the highest practicable level of safety. SMS helps organizations improve upon their safety performance by supporting the institutionalization of beliefs, practices, and procedures for identifying, mitigating, and monitoring safety risks. The national safety program has several components, including the National Public Transportation Safety Plan (NSP) that the FTA published to provide guidance on managing safety risks and safety hazards. One element of the NSP is the Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan. Public transportation agencies implemented TAM plans across the industry in 2018. The subject of this document is the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) rule, 49 CFR Part 673, and guidance provided by FTA.
Safety is a core business function of all public transportation providers and should be systematically applied to every aspect of service delivery action are responsible for the safety of their clientele and themselves. To improve public transportation safety to the highest practicable level in the State of Texas and comply with FTA requirements, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has developed this Agency Safety Plan (ASP) in collaboration with the City of Laredo and the Laredo Mass Transit Board with fiduciary responsibility for (LTMI).
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends approval.
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Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Year: 2024
Budgeted Y/N?: N/A
Source of Funds: N/A
Account #: N/A
Change Order: Exceeds 25% Y/N: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No financial impact.