Federal Transit Administration

In San Francisco, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Safe Routes to School Program is helping families choose safe, accessible ways to get their kids to class. A recent survey showed that public transportation now accounts for over 25% of all student commutes, with nearly half of high schoolers choosing to #TakeTransit. Thanks to student passes and youth initiatives like Muni’s “school tripper service,” which provides extra afternoon buses to ease crowding on key school routes, transit has become a convenient and reliable option for students across the city. tinyurl.com/mwpcmhku 

City of Detroit is taking important steps to enhance safety across its transit system by installing metal detectors at the Rosa Parks and Jason Hargrove Transit Centers, along with increased patrols by Detroit Police Department. These safety measures aim to improve the rider experience and build on ongoing efforts to create a safer environment for riders, workers, and families. #MakeCommutingSafeAgain tinyurl.com/2m7snf6w 

In Minneapolis, Metro Transit recently launched its Safe and Strong University Avenue Initiative, an innovative partnership that brings together law enforcement, service providers, and local prosecutors to improve safety throughout the Twin Cities. The initiative increases police visibility on the Green Line and helps connect individuals to treatment, housing, and support services. The collaboration builds on recent safety gains across MT’s system, with onboard police up 20% compared to last year and 40% of riders reporting they feel safer than they did six months ago. FTA is proud to support our law enforcement partners to #MakeCommutingSafeAgain for American families. tinyurl.com/mtxn2vvh 

Last week, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) implemented a new systemwide ban prohibiting anyone who commits serious offenses from entering or using the Metro system, properties, or facilities. FTA wants to partner with transit systems in their efforts to create safer experience for American families, workers, and visitors. We’re happy to see WMATA answering U.S. Department of Transportation call to #MakeCommutingSafeAgain. tinyurl.com/43kmc6km 

Last weekend, FTA Regional Administrator Ray Tellis joined Valley Metro RPTA in Phoenix to celebrate the grand opening of its 5.5-mile South-Central light rail extension. With 8 new stations, the extension will connect downtown to South Phoenix, expanding transit access for thousands and encouraging business investment along the corridor. Riders can now #TakeTransit to Arizona State University, and the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport via the new line. FTA is proud to have invested nearly $530 million in this project during President Trump’s first term.

FTA recently spoke at the 2025 Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Expo and highlighted guidance to reduce bus collisions and assaults on transit workers using new available data. For more information on how transit agencies can better use safety data to protect workers and riders, visit: tinyurl.com/2a9c39bp

Yesterday, FTA Regional Administrator Ray Tellis spoke at the 2025 Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Expo, where he emphasized the Administration’s strong support for rural and small urban transit systems nationwide. With more than 20% of Americans living in rural areas—and over 4,500 transit agencies serving them—these systems are essential to connecting communities, sustaining local economies, and expanding opportunity. FTA remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, and accessible transportation for seniors, workers, and families.

Today is International Trespass Awareness Day. FTA joins transit agencies around the world in working to prevent tragic and avoidable injuries on rail systems. When riding or near rail transit… 🚆 Stay alert. 🚷 Stay off the tracks. ✅ Stay safe. 🔗 tinyurl.com/33hc93ma

This week, Kentucky’s TANK (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky) hosted its first “Ready to Ride” class, a free monthly workshop designed to help new, returning, and current riders gain confidence using public transit. The class covers everything from pre-boarding tips to signaling your stop, and even includes hands-on practice on a real bus. Subsequent classes will be held on the first Monday of each month at TANK’s main office in Fort Wright. Kudos to TANK for making transit more accessible and user-friendly for everyone. 📅 Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/emqp6A5E

Innovation is on the rise in Riverside, CA. As part of the Riverside Transit Agency’s two-year pilot program, riders can now board one of the nation’s first fully self-driving, publicly accessible transit shuttles. Each vehicle operates on a pre-mapped route at up to 25 mph and includes an onboard attendant to assist passengers. Service launched last month at the Riverside Municipal Airport, with additional routes to downtown and UC Riverside expected by the end of the program’s first year. 🚍