Safe and Affordable Transit Act

This bill provides $50 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to fund security measures for public transit systems in urbanized areas, removing previous population requirements that limited access. It allows transit agencies to use these funds for hiring additional officers, contracting with local police, and making physical safety upgrades like monitoring devices and operator shields. Additionally, it mandates a study by the National Academies (with input from transit workers) to evaluate crime prevention tactics, including successful and unsuccessful approaches used by transit agencies. The bill directly affects transit agencies and passengers by prioritizing safety infrastructure and data-driven crime reduction strategies.