The purpose of the award is to reimburse california for up to 80% of its state safety oversight (SSO) program overseeing FTA-funded rail fixed guideway public transportation systems (RFGPTS) in…

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) a formula grant of $8.513 million on August 16, 2025, under the Rail Fixed Guideway Public Transportation System State Safety Oversight Formula Grant Program (CFDA 20.528). This award reimburses the state for up to 80% of its State Safety Oversight (SSO) program expenses through September 30, 2030. The CPUC will continue implementing SSO activities mandated under 49 CFR Part 674, encompassing both operational and administrative expenses related to overseeing FTA-funded rail fixed guideway public transportation systems (RFGPTS) throughout California.

The grant-funded activities include safety management system development and implementation, comprehensive safety monitoring, inspections, audits, and technical assistance for eligible rail transit systems. These services support light rail, heavy rail, monorail, and automated guideway systems within California's jurisdiction. The intended beneficiaries include all California residents who use or interact with RFGPTS, transit employees and passengers, and California taxpayers. No subrecipients are involved in this award. The expected outcomes are improved safety and compliance across FTA-funded rail fixed guideway systems through ongoing state safety oversight activities. The CPUC will maintain financial records for three years following grant closeout and asset inventories for the useful life of any capital acquisitions.

Activities

Activities to be performed are continuation of SSO activities as mandated in 49 CFR part 674 both operational and administrative expenses as described in 49 CFR part 674.17.

Expected outcomes

The expected outcomes are improved safety and compliance resulting from the on-going state safety oversight activities for FTA-funded rfgpts.

Intended beneficiaries

Intended beneficiaries are all people in california who use or otherwise interact with rfgpts rfgpts employees and passengers and the taxpayers of california who will benefit from federal financial assistance and improved safety of rfgpts.

Subrecipient activities

There will be no subrecipients.