What we do

The Office of State Safety Oversight (OSSO) helps ensure Minnesota's light rail system is safe and secure by reducing the likelihood of unintentional acts or circumstances that may lead to death, injury or property damage, and increasing safety awareness. 

How we do it

• Build collaborative partnerships
• Provide guidance
• Conducting audits, reviews and inspections

Background

Lawmakers passed legislation in 2014 establishing the OSSO. The OSSO began full time oversight duties with a program manager in February 2015.

In 2016, the final state safety oversight (SSO) rule took effect, requiring states to attain certification of their SSO programs. 

The rule also gives the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) the authority to review and approve each state's SSO program and take enforcement actions against states with non-existent or non-compliant safety oversight programs.  Minnesota became the second state in the nation to receive FTA certification on Oct. 11, 2017.