The US Government is planning to propose that it oversees safety regulations for subway and light rail systems in the country.
Under the plan that is scheduled to be unveiled in December, the Department of Transportation would either set and enforce safety standards itself or grant states the option to do so under its guidance and financial assistance.
The proposal, which needs Congress' approval, aims to change a 1965 law that prohibits the federal government from overseeing safety regulations for subways and light rail.
The move comes as the country has faced several fatal accidents in recent times, most notably the Washington Metro crash on June 22 that killed nine people.
The federal government already oversees safety for the Amtrak long-distance rail service, freight and commuter rail systems, as well as airlines and automotives.
