| ITEM #: 11. DATE: 06/23/2025 AI #:2677 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | GOODYEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AGENCY SAFETY PLAN |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Christine McMurdy, Project Management Coordinator |
SUMMARY
On July 19, 2019, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Final Rule, requiring public transportation systems that receive federal grant funds to develop safety plans that include Safety Management Systems (SMS) and to set safety performance measure targets. City Council approved a microtransit program in Goodyear with the intent that it would be partially funded by federal grants. Since the city is using federal grants to fund the microtransit program, the city is required to comply with all FTA terms and must develop a PTASP. The Transit Division of the Engineering Department has created a PTASP in compliance with the FTA requirements. Council is requested to approve the city's PTASP.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
In September 2022, the City Council approved a contract with First Transit, LLC to implement a microtransit program (“WeRIDE”) in Goodyear with the intent it would be partially funded with a federal grant under 49 U.S.C. Section 5307 (FTA Grant). Under the FTA Grant, the city of Phoenix is designated as the FTA Grant recipient, with Goodyear acting as a subrecipient. In April 2023, City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Phoenix to receive $500,000 in FTA Grant funds as a subrecipient to operate WeRIDE.
Operators of public transportation systems that receive federal funds under the FTA Grant must develop a PTASP, which applies to all operators of public transportation systems that are recipients and sub-recipients of federal financial assistance. With the operation of the WeRIDE microtransit service, Goodyear falls under this requirement and its PTASP must include the following elements:
Operators of public transportation systems that receive federal funds under the FTA Grant must develop a PTASP, which applies to all operators of public transportation systems that are recipients and sub-recipients of federal financial assistance. With the operation of the WeRIDE microtransit service, Goodyear falls under this requirement and its PTASP must include the following elements:
- Safety performance targets
- Safety management policy
- Discussion of methods for safety hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk mitigation
- Discussion of safety promotion
- Designation of staff being accountable for various safety-related responsibilities
- Protocols for communication of safety-related data and information.
- Requiring the establishment of a Safety Committee.
- Requiring the establishment of a risk-reduction program and targets to improve safety by reducing the number and rates of accidents, injuries, and assaults on transit workers; and
- Requiring the creation of strategies consistent with the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or a state health authority, to minimize the exposure of the public, personnel, and property to infectious diseases and unsafe conditions.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The city prepared its PTASP (Attachment A, Exhibit A). Most of the PTASP requirements are already met by the city’s contracted microtransit service provider, Transdev. The staff in Avondale and Goodyear collaborated on the development of individual PTASP plans, with significant guidance provided by the city of Phoenix Public Transit Department, to ensure the requirements are met as a collaborative effort, requiring no additional effort on the part of Transdev to achieve the goals set by FTA. The Transdev team that manages WeRIDE has already engaged in regular safety meetings that allow operational staff to discuss issues or provide suggestions regarding safety beyond their day-to-day input in a formal meeting environment. Strategies to comply with the new CDC guidelines are in development. WeRIDE is proud to continue to build on an already successful risk reduction program/targets, having zero injuries and assaults on transit workers and only two minor accidents (Avondale) over three years of operations.
The Goodyear PTASP plan will be reviewed annually by the city of Phoenix, as the designated FTA Grant recipient, to ensure ongoing compliance with all FTA requirements.
This request is for Council approval of Resolution No. 2025-2478 and the Goodyear Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (Attachment A).
The Goodyear PTASP plan will be reviewed annually by the city of Phoenix, as the designated FTA Grant recipient, to ensure ongoing compliance with all FTA requirements.
This request is for Council approval of Resolution No. 2025-2478 and the Goodyear Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (Attachment A).