The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) notified the transit systems in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia that effective immediately it will withhold 5% of Fiscal Year 2017 transit formula funds until a new State Safety Oversight Program (SSOP) is certified for the rail operations of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The funds will be withheld until the jurisdictions pass identical legislation and meet related requirements in order for FTA to certify a new SSOP for WMATA Metrorail.
In accordance with Federal law, on Feb. 8, FTA informed the Governors and the Mayor that failure to obtain a certified SSOP for the WMATA Metrorail system by Feb. 9, may result in the withholding of federal transit funds.
