The CPUC has safety and security regulatory authority over all rail transit and other public transit fixed guideway systems under Public Utilities Code Section 99152 and other statutes. CPUC Staff conduct continuous and ongoing safety oversight of rail and other transit agencies (RTAs) in California, and works in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the RTAs to enhance public safety and security. The CPUC's State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program was approved and certified by the Federal Transit Administration in accordance with the requirements of Federal public transportation safety law (49 United States Code §5329(e)) and FTA's SSO regulation (49 Code of Federal Regulation Part 674), on October 23, 2018. The CPUC’s Rail Transit Safety Branch (RTSB) implements the Commission’s program, and focuses on verification of compliance with the System Safety Program Plan, System Security Plans, and Safety Certification Plans of each RTA to ensure that these plans meet all state and federal rules and regulations, and that RTAs are effectively implementing those plans and the RTA's adopted policies and procedures.
RTSB’s engineers and analysts conduct continuous review and safety oversight of design and construction of capital projects, operations, emergency response, accident reporting, and incident investigation. The RTSB inspectors conduct on-site visits to inspect infrastructure and vehicles, monitor operations, evaluate maintenance practices, and other activities to identify noncompliance, safety concerns, and unsafe conditions.
The CPUC also prescribes safety and security requirements for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of heavy rail transit, light-rail transit, trolleys, and funicular systems in its General Orders, and assures those are carried out through RTSB activities and Commission Resolutions and Decisions pertaining to rail transit matters. The CPUC ensures that all rail transit system extensions and new construction projects undergo a safety certification review and approval.