Congresswoman Simon Introduces RIDER Safety Act, Legislation to Support Transit Ambassadors and Public Safety on Transit

OAKLAND, CA – On January 30, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) announced her new legislation, H.R. 6069, the Rapid Intervention and Deterrence for Enhanced Rider Safety Act, or the RIDER Safety Act. This legislation would support transit ambassador, or transit support specialist, programs at public transit agencies across the country. This legislation is based on Congresswoman Simon’s work at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to create a first-in-the-nation Transit Ambassador Program, which previously earned a prestigious nationwide award for “Innovation in Public Safety.” 

Congresswoman Simon announced the introduction of the bill at a press conference at the 19^th Street BART Station alongside BART leaders and other supporters. 

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Safe, reliable transit for riders and operators is essential to thriving communities and a strong economy. The RIDER Safety Act would allow public transit agencies to hire transit ambassadors trained in de-escalation, crisis response, and rider education and engagement. Acting as a visible, non-enforcement presence to deter low-level incidents and reduce conflict, transit ambassadors ease the burden off law enforcement and enhance public safety. This bill would also create jobs provide meaningful work, training opportunities, and a pathway for career growth in local communities. In the House of Representatives, the bill is also co-led by Representatives Shomari Figures (AL-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), and John Garamendi (CA-08). 

“I am incredibly proud to champion the RIDER Safety Act in Congress and continue my work to ensure transit is safe, accessible, and affordable to everyone. We have seen the success of the transit ambassador programs here in the East Bay, and I am dedicated to bringing this proven public safety model to the rest of the country,” said Congresswoman Simon. “These are strong local jobs for people who want to support public safety on transit and serve as a resource to individuals who may be in crisis or in need of services,” she continued. “Strengthening safety on transit benefits us all and helps ensure our public transportation systems remain places of opportunity, dignity, and trust.”

“Improving safety on public transportation will make it easier to get to work, school, and home for people across Alabama and America,” said Congressman Shomari Figures. “As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Congresswoman Simon’s RIDER Safety Act, which gives transit agencies the resources to put trained support specialists on the ground.”

“This bill is critical to ensure the safety of every passenger who relies on public transportation across the country,” said Congresswoman Nellie Pou. “The RIDER Safety Act builds on successful transit models already implemented in communities, including the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) through the leadership of Congresswoman Lateefah Simon during her time as BART President. By providing transit stations with medically-trained, unarmed personnel, we can strengthen safety standards, reduce fare evasion, and give riders a greater peace of mind when getting from one place to the next.”

“Ensuring public transportation is not only convenient and efficient, but also safe and secure is critical to decreasing commute times and improving quality of life in the Bay Area and across the country,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier. “I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Simon and my colleagues in bringing forth legislation that would support transit agencies in improving rider and operator safety through commonsense reforms.”

“You cannot have public transportation with the public’s trust and safety,” said Congressman John Garamendi. “The Rapid Intervention and Deterrence for Enhanced Riders (RIDER) Safety Act will provide critical support to transit agencies like BART to keep commuters and transit operators safe. This bill will make our communities better places to work, travel, and live. I thank Congresswoman Lateefah Simon for her leadership on this issue, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues in fighting for safer transit and safer communities.” 

A copy of the legislation can be found here. A copy of the one-pager can be found here. 

Congresswoman Simon is the first congenitally blind person to serve in Congress, and she has been a long-time advocate for transit accessibility. She previously served on the BART Board of Directors as a Member and later as President of the Board from 2016 to 2024.  In Congress, Congresswoman Simon has consistently advocated for accessible transportation, stable transit funding to ensure reliable and accessible service, and for transportation modernization investments. 

More information on the RIDER Safety Act, including cosponsors and endorsements can be found below: 

The bill is co-led by Representatives Shomari Figures (AL-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), John Garamendi (CA-08). Cosponsors in the House include Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Dina Titus (NV-01), Steve Cohen (TN-01), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Valerie Foushee (NC-04). 

The RIDER Safety Act is endorsed by the BART, LA Metro, AC-Transit, SF-MTA, Amalgamated Transit Union, Transport Workers Union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, AFL-CIO (Transportation Trades Department), International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Transportation Division, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and Transportation Communications International Union. 

“At BART we are listening to our riders, and they have been loud and clear that we need to be safe, clean, and reliable,” said BART Board President Melissa Hernandez. “Our overall crime rate dropped by 41% compared with the previous year. Traditional officers and unarmed staff are working together to provide a visible safety presence that is working to deter unwanted behavior.” 

“A big reason why BART Police Department has one of the fastest response times to emergencies of any police agency in the Bay Area is because it has non-sworn staff that can respond to lower-level safety concerns before they escalate,” said BART District 7 Director Victor Flores. “This frees up resources to handle emergencies that are more appropriate for a traditional sworn officer.” 

“Safety is about more than enforcement. It’s about presence, partnership, and creating an environment where all riders feel comfortable using BART,” said BART Police Department Chief Kevin Franklin. “The combined efforts of our officers and non-sworn staff are ensuring we are doing all we can to make BART welcoming for all.”

“We are in deep support of this bill. We look forward to working with Congresswoman Simon to get it across the finish line, said Joel Young, At-Large Director on the AC Transit Board of Directors. “It will be an important step for our agency, for our passengers, but more importantly for our employees. We have already decided that when this bill is passed, we will use the Federal Transit Administration funds to hire ambassadors and put them right on our Tempo Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line right here in Oakland. On behalf of AC Transit, our board, our General Manager Salvador ‘Sal’ Llamas, thank you for the work you are doing.”  

“I want to thank Congresswoman Simon for her staunch advocacy for including transit service across the region, across the Bay Area, undertaking the important work and prioritizing safety on transit systems,” said Acting Director of Transit, Chief Transportation Officer of SF-MTA, Brent Jones. “We can’t provide safe, frequent reliable service without programs like the School Safety programs and transit ambassadors. These efforts are not just important to our customers, but also our employees. None of this is possible without fierce advocacy by Congresswoman Simon, who continues to fight for us as we continue to fight every single day to deliver great transit services.”

"The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) strongly supports the RIDER Safety Act, H.R. 6069,” said Chris Avila, Transport Workers Union, California State Conference Chairperson. “This bill would provide transit agencies the resources needed to improve safety, hire additional security personnel, and strengthen crime‑prevention measures. A visible security presence is one of the most effective ways to deter assaults and protect both workers and riders. We need urgent action from all levels of government and from employers to keep transportation workers, riders, and passengers safe.

“42 workers per day are assaulted nationwide, that’s over 11,000 workers nationwide. So, Congresswoman Simon’s legislation goes towards the riders and the workers,” said Chris Finn, President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555. “We greatly appreciate your legislation and thinking of the workers and the riders. ATU International is proud to endorse and support this legislation. 

"It's a sad reality that the operators who serve our communities are frequently confronted by agitators on the job," said Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO. "We are proud to support the RIDER Safety Act, which will utilize proven solutions and prop up trained professionals dedicated to de-escalating these dangerous encounters."

“On behalf of the nearly 700,000 TCU/IAM members nationwide, we want to thank Congresswoman Simon for this [bill.] We fully support it; this bill recognizes a critical truth on rider safety and system reliability,” said Josh Ott, President and Legislative/Political Representative of Transportation Communications Union /International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers (TCU/IAM) Local 1315. The Rider Safety Act is a smart, balanced investment in public safety, workforce support, and transit reliability. Its impact will be long-lasting –benefiting riders, workers, and the communities that rely on safe, accessible transportation. You have our full support. You’re in the fight, and we’re very in with you.”

“By making public transportation systems eligible for federal operational grants, this bill recognizes a simple truth: safety isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s also about staffing and investing in the workers who keep our infrastructure running,” said President of AFSCME Local 3993 BART, Sal Cruz. “The RIDER Safety Act will allow BART to hire more qualified transit support specialists who are trained professionals that can engage with riders, respond to crises, and intervene before situations escalate. This means frontline workers can focus on doing their jobs safely, instead of being pulled into roles they were never properly resourced to handle.”

“No one should have to face violence, intimidation, or disorder simply to get to work or to do their job. This legislation takes a smart, practical approach to improving safety on public transit, one that reflects the realities of transit workers every day,” said Donald Roach, the Alternate National Safety and Legislative Director of SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD). By allowing federal safety transit dollars to fund these transit support specialists – this bill emphasizes prevention, visibility, and early intervention. On behalf of the members of the SMART Transportation Division, we call on Congress to support the RIDER Safety Act.”

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