City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JULY 14, 2026 FROM: PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY WARDS: ALL
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY SAFETY PLAN; REQUIREMENT UNDER THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AGENCY SAFETY PLAN FINAL RULE (49 CFR PART 673) ISSUE:
Approve the Special Transportation Agency Safety Plan as required under the Federal Transit Administration Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Final Rule (49 CFR Part 673).
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve the Special Transportation Agency Safety Plan as required under the Federal Transit Administration Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Final Rule (49 CFR Part 673).
BACKGROUND:
On July 19, 2018, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Final Rule (49 CFR Part 673), requiring certain public transportation systems that receive federal funds under FTA’s Urbanized Area Formula Grants to develop safety plans.
On July 19, 2019, the FTA adopted a final rule, requiring the State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) to draft and certify Agency Safety Plans on behalf of small public transportation providers within a State that receives Section 5307 funds and meets certain criteria. The City of Riverside is a recipient of program funds and meets the criteria under 49 U.S.C 5307 and 5339 which cover preventative maintenance and bus replacement costs.
On April 15, 2020, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) prepared an Agency Safety Plan (Version 1.0) for the City of Riverside Special Transportation that was approved by the City Council on November 3, 2020.
Effective May 13, 2024, the FTA added additional requirements to the Agency Safety Plan through the PTASP Final Rule change and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The City of Riverside’s updated Agency Safety Plan (Version 2.0), incorporating these additional requirements, was approved by City Council on October 21, 2025. These updates included the establishment of a joint labor-management Safety Committee, additional annual safety performance targets, and an expanded focus on safety training and risk mitigation.
The attached Agency Safety Plan (Version 2.1) includes the annual update of Fiscal Year 2026 safety performance targets, based on rolling three-year safety performance data as required by the FTA. The PTASP is intended to be a living document that is reviewed and updated annually to ensure continued compliance with federal requirements. Following review and approval by the Safety Committee and Accountable Executive, the updated plan is submitted to City Council for annual approval.
DISCUSSION:
As a public transportation provider operating less than 100 vehicles at any given time, the Special Transportation Division is eligible to utilize the State plan which was originally developed by Caltrans. The plan is structured around the four pillars of Safety Management Systems (SMS):
Safety Management Policy:
Safety objectives.
Confidential employee reporting program.
Organizational accountabilities and safety responsibilities, including designation of a Chief Safety Officer Safety Risk Management
Processes for hazard identification, risk assessment and mitigation.
Safety Assurance
Process for safety performance monitoring and measurement.
Safety Promotion
Comprehensive safety training program and communication.
The documented Safety Management Systems ensure the Agency performs the necessary risk management activities, monitors its results, and makes the necessary adjustments to maintain a safe system. This plan outlines how the Special Transportation Division will continually identify, monitor, and mitigate safety risks and hazards present in its transit operating environment.
In addition, under the PTASP Final Rule change, the transit operator is required to set annual safety performance targets based on the safety performance measures established by the National Public Transportation Safety Plan (NSP). The NSP safety performance measures are for the following categories: Fatalities; Injuries; Collisions; Assaults; Major Safety Events; and System Reliability (State of Good Repair).
The Agency Safety Plan will be reviewed and approved annually by Special Transportation’s Safety Committee and management team to incorporate necessary updates, corrections, and modifications in accordance with FTA guidelines. The City will annually certify through FTA’s Certifications and Assurances process that the plan continues to meet all requirements. Compliance will also be reviewed by the FTA through its Triennial Review process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this recommendation.
Prepared by: Ron Profeta, Transit Manager
Approved by: Pamela M. Galera, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Interim Finance Director Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachment: City of Riverside Special Transportation Agency Safety Plan Special Transportation Agency Safety Plan ● Page 3