Mass Transit Grants: UMTA Needs to Increase Safety Focus at Local Transit Authority
RCED-90-41
Published: Dec 01, 1989. Publicly Released: Jan 04, 1990.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Urban Mass Transportation Administration's (UMTA) oversight of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), focusing on: (1) trends in SEPTA safety conditions; (2) UMTA monitoring of SEPTA transit system safety; and (3) factors UMTA considered in approving grant assistance to SEPTA.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, UMTA, to obtain more complete and accurate information on SEPTA accidents and injuries and their causes and use this information in: (1) evaluating SEPTA safety conditions during triennial reviews at SEPTA; (2) determining whether further safety investigation at SEPTA is warranted; (3) approving the SEPTA annual program of projects; and (4) making section 3 grant funding decisions. |
UMTA modified the section 15 safety information reporting requirements in April 1990. According to UMTA Region III staff, this information is used to identify trends in SEPTA safety conditions and, in conjunction with other safety concerns, evaluate the SEPTA program of projects and funding decisions.
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| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, UMTA, to follow up on the safety problems identified by the section 22 investigation and by other sources during the next triennial review at SEPTA. |
UMTA conducted a triennial review at SEPTA in January 1990 and issued a letter of findings in March 1991. According to UMTA Region III staff, during the triennial review, UMTA looked at SEPTA actions to respond to all open recommendations related to safety. GAO noted that UMTA did not close out the triennial review because SEPTA had not developed an action plan to address NTSB recommendations.
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| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, UMTA, to maintain documentation of the section 3 grant awards process and provide an explanation to SEPTA when funding decisions differ from SEPTA priorities. |
The Department of Transportation will not require UMTA to document its section 3 grant award decisions.
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Topics
Commuter transportationDiscretionary grantsFederal aid for transportationFormula grantsGrant award proceduresGrant monitoringMass transitSafety regulationTransportation safetyUrban transportationCommuter rail