U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced the Safe Transit Accountability Act, a bill aimed at preventing labor unions from delaying or blocking public transportation agencies in Utah and elsewhere from implementing safety measures. The legislation is also being introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Burgess Owens (R-UT) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA). The bill has received endorsements from the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
Senator Lee stated, “American families deserve to have safe, reliable public transit. Under President Biden, labor unions were given a veto over public transit agency safety plans, allowing them to stall projects and interfere with federal funding for safe transit. Just last year, such obstruction threatened resources for the Utah Transit Authority. The Safe Transit Accountability Act ensures that these disputes can be resolved by the executive authority responsible for rider and operator safety.”
Rep. Burgess Owens commented on the bill’s introduction: “The Safe Transit Accountability Act restores common sense by removing bureaucratic roadblocks and putting safety decisions back in the hands of those responsible for running our transit systems. I’m proud to lead this bill with Congressman Smucker in the House and Senator Lee in the Senate to empower agencies like the Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Transit Authority to protect riders and ensure Utah’s growing communities have the safe, reliable service they deserve.”
Rep. Lloyd Smucker added, “Millions of Americans rely on public transit every day, and travelers deserve to know their safety is always a priority. I am grateful for Senator Lee’s partnership in introducing the Safe Transit Accountability Act, which streamlines transit system operations and cuts red tape to efficiently address risk and safety concerns. I’m committed to ensuring transit systems here in Pennsylvania and across the nation provide the service America’s travelers deserve.”
Carlton Christensen, Chair of UTA’s Board of Trustees, said: “Safety is and always will be the Utah Transit Authority’s top priority, and the Safe Transit Accountability Act is an important step forward in strengthening public transit safety across the country. This legislation ensures efficient compliance with federal safety standards while empowering transit systems to best protect our riders and employees. UTA thanks Senator Lee for his leadership in introducing this important bill in the Senate.”
Carlos Braceras, Executive Director of UDOT stated: “A strong safety plan is essential—not just for compliance, but to protect riders and operators every day. This legislation brings needed clarity to the process and helps ensure transit agencies can act quickly and responsibly. We appreciate Representative Owens’ and Senator Lee’s leadership and are proud to support this commonsense legislation.”
Paul P. Skoutelas, President & CEO of APTA said: “APTA applauds Senator Mike Lee’s leadership in introducing the Safe Transit Accountability Act. This bill addresses a real operational challenge by giving public transit agencies the clarity they need to meet Federal safety requirements while ensuring the highest standards for the millions who depend on their services every day.”
The background provided notes that under current law established by 2021’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), certain federally funded transit agencies must form Safety Committees composed equally of labor union representatives and agency members who must jointly approve Public Transit Agency Safety Plans (PTASPs). According to supporters of Senator Lee’s new proposal, this arrangement has allowed labor unions significant influence over approval processes.
In December 2024, union representatives on UTA’s Safety Committee delayed approval of its PTASP; as a result, there was a threat that federal funds could be suspended by The Federal Transit Administration if agreement was not reached.
The proposed legislation seeks to allow executive authorities within agencies more control over resolving such disputes so that necessary safety measures can be implemented without risking loss of funding or delays attributed to committee deadlocks.
