Safe and Affordable Transit Act

The "Safe and Affordable Transit Act" proposes to amend title 49, United States Code, by establishing new operating grants to enhance crime prevention and security for public transportation systems in urbanized areas. This bill authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide $50 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for eligible activities, including hiring additional officers , contracting with local police for increased presence, and implementing physical infrastructure upgrades like monitoring devices and operator shields to improve passenger and operator safety. Additionally, the legislation mandates a study by the Transportation Research Board to identify effective and ineffective crime prevention tactics and establish best practices for transit agencies to reduce crime within public transportation systems, with findings to be reported to Congress.