Staff recommends City Council approve and adopt the MET Transit Agency Safety Plan as required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the final rule covered by 49 CFR Part 673.

The FTA developed and published a final rule for Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans as authorized by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP–21), requiring operators of public transportation systems who receive Federal financial assistance under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 to develop Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans based on the Safety Management System approach. Operators of public transportation systems are required to implement these safety plans by December 31, 2020. The development and implementation of these safety plans will help ensure that public transportation systems are safe nationwide.  In order to meet this requirement, MET staff has developed the MET Transit Agency Safety Plan in accordance with and guidance from the FTA.  As outlined by the final rule in 49 CFR Part 673, this Plan requires review and approval of the Plan by the transit agency's governing board, the Billings City Council. The overall structure and practices outlined by the Plan will be implemented immediately upon approval with related appendices updated as needed. This Plan covers all areas of the City of Billings MET Transit operation in regards to safety, including vehicle operation, passenger service, fleet and facility maintenance, and administration. 

City Council may:

• Approve the MET Transit Agency Safety Plan, ensuring compliance with FTA regulations; or
• Disapprove the MET Transit Agency Safety Plan.  This action would put the receipt of Federal funding in jeopardy, placing a significant financial strain on both the capital and operational needs of the MET Transit division and impair the City's ability to provide transit services to the population of Billings. 

At this time, there will be no additional financial impact, as the MET Transit division intends to utilize existing personnel and resources to fulfill the requirements of the MET Transit Agency Safety Plan.