Agency Directory

Office of the Secretary (OST)

Component of Department of Health and Human Services

About this agency

The Office of the Secretary (OST) oversees the formulation of national transportation policy and promotes intermodal transportation. Other responsibilities range from negotiation and implementation of international transportation agreements, assuring the fitness of US airlines, enforcing airline consumer protection regulations, issuance of regulations to prevent alcohol and illegal drug misuse in transportation systems and preparing transportation legislation.  The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (formerly RITA) is now part of OST, and includes the VOLPE National Transportation Systems Center, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Transportation Safety Institute, and the University Transportation Centers program. FOIA Reference Guide FOIA Regulations