Buses Stay Sober: FTA Locks in 50% Drug Testing Rate
Published Date: 1/15/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting January 1, 2026, transit agencies that get federal money must keep random drug testing at 50% and alcohol testing at 10% for safety-sensitive workers. These rules help keep buses and trains safe by catching misuse early. No changes in testing rates mean agencies can plan their budgets without surprises this year.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Drug Testing Rate Stays at 50%
Starting January 1, 2026, transit agencies that receive Federal Transit Administration financial assistance must maintain a minimum random drug testing rate of 50 percent for employees who perform safety-sensitive functions. This keeps half of covered safety-sensitive employees subject to random drug testing each year.
Condition to Lower Testing To 25%
The Administrator may reduce the minimum random testing rate to 25 percent if industry violation rates are below 1.0 percent for drugs and below 0.5 percent for alcohol for two consecutive years. The rule describes these numeric thresholds (1.0% for drugs, 0.5% for alcohol) and the two-year consecutive requirement as the condition for lowering the rate.
Alcohol Testing Rate Remains 10%
Beginning January 1, 2026, transit agencies receiving FTA funding must keep the minimum random alcohol testing rate at 10 percent for safety-sensitive employees. This means one in ten covered safety-sensitive employees will be selected for random alcohol testing each year.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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