Provide funding for the state safety oversight agency (ssoa) in the state of washington

The Federal Transit Administration awarded the Washington State Department of Transportation $2,046,091 on July 6, 2026, under the Rail Fixed Guideway Public Transportation System State Safety Oversight Formula Grant Program (CFDA 20.528) to fund the state safety oversight agency for rail transit systems throughout Washington.

Funding supports administrative costs, personnel, and contractor services to conduct safety oversight of rail transit agencies. Administrative expenses cover state safety oversight staff salaries, tools, and systems required for oversight and technical assistance provided by other WSDOT employees. Training activities include participation in Transit System Safety Professional (TSSP) certification courses and FTA-required conferences. Consultant services provide on-call accident and hazard investigation, transit safety technical assistance, and other safety improvement activities for public transportation systems statewide.

The award is intended to ensure all safety requirements of the state safety oversight agency and rail transit agencies are met, maintain adequate and safe public transportation services, and provide coordination and outreach to the general public, special needs populations, transportation providers, and planners across rural and metropolitan areas.

Performance runs through March 29, 2030, with work conducted statewide in Washington. The recipient administers no sub-recipients under this award.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide funding for the state safety oversight agency (ssoa) in the state of washington.

Activities

Funds will be used for administrative costs and to provide personnel and contractors to conduct safety oversight of the rail transit agencies throughout the state of washington.1. Administrative expenses include state safety oversight staff salaries tools and systems required for oversight and technical assistance provided by other WSDOT employees.2. Training activities include taking part in all required courses for the transit system safety professional (tssp) requirement and other FTA required conferences and training.3. Consultants services provide various activities improving the safety of all public transportation systems such as on-call accident and hazard investigation services on-call transit safety technical assistance and so on.

Expected outcomes

Ensure all safety requirements of the ssoa and rail transit agencies are met. Maintain an adequate and safe level of public transportation services in state of washington. Provide coordination and outreach for the general public and special needs populations as well as the transportation providers and planners.

Intended beneficiaries

The ssoa and public transportation customers who utilize public transportation services in rural and metropolitan areas across the state of washington including the elderly persons with special needs low-income and general public.

Subrecipient activities

There are no subrecipients to this award.