The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking nominations for TRACS (Transit Advisory Committee for Safety) membership. Qualified individuals, including past members, may apply and self-nominations are accepted. The deadline is Oct. 2, 2025.
TRACS was established in 2009, and its charter was renewed by the U.S. Transportation Secretary on June 9, 2025. Operating in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. ch. 10, the purpose of TRACS is to provide the Secretary and the FTA Administrator with information, advice, and recommendations related to the safety of the nation’s public transportation systems, according to the FTA, which recently published its call for nominations in the Federal Register (download below). Specifically, TRACS will “provide advice and recommendations on improvements and innovations in transit safety, review current challenges and innovations in public transportation, and provide recommendations that FTA can implement in support of safety in the public transportation sector.”
The committee does not exercise program management responsibilities and makes no decisions directly affecting the programs on which it provides advice, according to the FRA. Additionally, the Secretary may accept or reject a TRACS recommendation and is not bound to pursue any TRACS recommendation.
The committee reports to the Secretary through the FTA Administrator and comprises up to 25 members. “Members should be knowledgeable of trends and issues related to rail transit and/or bus transit safety,” the FTA reported. “[A]pplicants will also be evaluated and selected based on factors including leadership and organizational skills, region of the country represented, and the overall balance of industry representation. … The Department is interested in ensuring membership is balanced fairly in terms of the points of view represented and the functions to be performed by TRACS.”
Members will serve two-year terms but may be reappointed. TRACS meets at least once a year. FTA noted that all meetings will be held virtually or in a hybrid forum that does not require additional use of federal funds, unless otherwise required by law or approved by the Secretary.
