APTA initially got involved in standards development at the request of federal safety oversight organizations. In conducting their reviews, state and federal safety oversight organizations look first to industry safety standards to fulfill their regulatory needs. If industry standards are in place, effective and followed, no need exists for additional government safety regulations. Until APTA began a safety standards program, these standards were lacking in the transit industry. Thus, a primary benefit from standards is that the industry regulates itself.

laughable.