Beverly Press: Friedman announces legislation to boost safety on public transit

Ahead of the busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend travel period, U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) announced the Safe and Affordable Transit Act on Nov. 24. The new bipartisan legislation aims to improve safety and restore affordability on public transportation systems.

The bipartisan Safe and Affordable Transit Act is co-led by U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.). It supports local transit agencies by creating a new federal grant program to hire additional police officers and build key safety infrastructure upgrades. The bill will reduce crime on public transit, lower costs for local agencies and increase rider confidence, Friedman said.

“Every Angeleno and every American deserves access to safe and affordable transit – and that’s exactly what my new, bipartisan legislation is all about,” Friedman added. “The Safe and Affordable Transit Act will restore confidence and help make sure public transportation is reliable, affordable and safe for every family, every day.”

“I join Representative Laura Friedman in introducing the Safe and Affordable Transit Act of 2025. In a city of nearly 9 million people, having safe and reliable public transportation keeps our city moving, and our bipartisan bill would establish a new federal grant program dedicated to transit safety and infrastructure upgrades that promote passenger and operator safety,” Malliotakis said.

Bill Scott, chief of police and emergency management for the Metro Department of Public Safety, said the grants will provide much-needed support.

“The Metro Department of Public Safety will need to hire more than 600 sworn officers over the next four years, so we’re really thankful for the opportunity of the Safe and Affordable Transit Act,” Scott said. “We’re revolutionizing the way safety is delivered on transit by building a multilayered public safety ecosystem on Metro, and we thank Rep. Friedman for her leadership in helping us make Metro safer for everyone.”

The Safe and Affordable Transit Act creates a competitive federal grant program to hire additional officers for public transit stations and vehicles, and fund physical upgrades that protect riders and operators including surveillance, operator shields and visibility improvements. The bill Is endorsed by the Amalgamated Transit Union and the Transit Workers Union.

“As we continue to make our system safer, I applaud Rep. Friedman for her leadership with the bipartisan Safe and Affordable Transit Act, which could help us accelerate the implementation of the safety and security initiatives we’re rolling out all over LA County,” said Stephanie Wiggins, Chief Executive Officer. “As we look forward to hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028, these type of investments will ensure Metro is safe, secure, and ready to make America proud,” Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said.

For information, visit friedman.house.gov.