Creates investments to hire additional officers and improve safety infrastructure on mass transit
Today, November 25, 2025, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) announced the Safe and Affordable Transit Act, new bipartisan legislation to improve safety and restore affordability on America’s public transportation systems.
The bipartisan Safe and Affordable Transit Act is co-led by Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11). 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 aims to reduce crime on public transit, lower costs for local agencies, and increase rider confidence.
“Every Angeleno and every American deserves access to safe and affordable transit — and that’s exactly what my new, bipartisan legislation is all about,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “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.”
“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,” said LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins.
“The Metro Department of Public Safety will need to hire more than 600 sworn officers over the next 4 years, so we’re really thankful for the opportunity of the Safe and Affordable Transit Act,” said Bill Scott, Chief of Police and Emergency Management at the Metro Department of Public Safety (DPS). “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,” said LA Metro Chief of Police & Emergency Management Bill Scott.
As millions of Americans travel during Thanksgiving week, including through the Burbank Airport Metrolink Station where the announcement was held, Friedman emphasized the urgent need to invest in safer, more accessible systems.
THE BIPARTISAN SAFE AND AFFORDABLE TRANSIT ACT:
- Creates a competitive federal grant program to:
- Hire additional officers for public transit stations and vehicles.
- Fund physical upgrades that protect riders and operators — including surveillance, operator shields, and visibility improvements.
- Stops the burden of these investments from falling on local taxpayers.
- Is endorsed by the Amalgamated Transit Union and the Transit Workers Union.
On the Washington, D.C Metro, serious crime dropped by 43% in one year after increasing visible officer presence.
Friedman was joined today by Assemblyman Nick Schultz, Burbank Mayor Nikki Perez, Metrolink Chief Safety, Security, and Compliance Officer Hilary Konczal, LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins, LA Metro Chief of Police & Emergency Management Bill Scott, LAPD Deputy Chief and Commanding Officer of LAPD’s Transit Service Bureau Donald Graham, and a representative for Los Angeles Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
