H.R. 6298: Safe and Affordable Transit Act

The Safe and Affordable Transit Act aims to improve safety and security in public transportation systems, particularly in urban areas. It does this by providing grants to public transportation systems for operating costs related to crime prevention and security measures. Here are the key components of the bill:

Grants for Operating Costs

The bill allows the Secretary of Transportation to grant funds to any eligible public transportation entity under specific conditions, even if they do not meet standard population requirements. The financial support can be used for a variety of crime prevention and safety-related activities, including:

• Hiring Law Enforcement: Entities can use the funds to hire additional police officers to patrol public transportation and transit stations.
• Local Police Contracts: Funds may also be utilized to contract with local police departments to increase officer presence in transit areas.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Grant funds can support physical upgrades intended to improve safety for passengers and operators. This includes installation of monitoring devices, operators' shields, and other significant safety infrastructure.

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes the appropriation of $50 million for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to implement these initiatives.

Study on Crime Prevention

Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to work with the Transportation Research Board to conduct a study on crime prevention efforts by transit agencies. This study would encompass:

• The current measures transit agencies are implementing to prevent crime.
• Successful tactics that have been effective in deterring crime.
• Tactics that have not been effective in crime deterrence.
• Best practices recommendations for transit agencies to enhance safety and reduce crime in public transportation systems.

Implementation Timeline

The activities and funding authorized in this bill are intended to take place from 2026 to 2030, providing a structured timeline for assessment and improvement of public transportation safety and security measures.

Relevant Companies

• LYFT - Potentially impacted as increased safety measures may drive more riders to use services, influencing overall business operations.
• UBER - Similarly, enhanced security could positively affect user confidence in ride-sharing platforms operating in conjunction with public transit systems.