Susan Lent Quoted by Law360 on FTA’s Proposed National Safety Plans

Akin Gump transportation partner Susan Lent was quoted by Law360 for its article “FTA Flexes Regulatory Muscle With Safety Plan Rule,” on the Federal Transit Administration’s proposed rule that would require federally funded transit agencies to draft comprehensive safety plans. The article notes that it takes this step having been given regulatory authority by Congress in 2012 to oversee transit safety nationwide.

The article states that there is concern, especially among smaller and rural transit agencies, that the proposals will be too expensive and intrusive. Lent noted, “It looked to me like they were going farther than they should be going. It’s one thing if you’re a New York MTA with a rail system, but this would apply to ... any transit agencies that receive federal funds.”

Concerning the cost aspect, she added, “From my initial reach-out to transit agencies, they’re concerned about the cost impact of how these plans would work and what their compliance obligations are. This whole proposed rule goes beyond what they’ve had to do before.”