The FTA Office of Safety and Security commissioned a study of 25 transit agencies to determine customer and transit vehicle operator perception of security. Transit systems were selected based on number of vehicles, mode, and geographic location, to provide a sampling of systems throughout the country.

The project team interviewed customers and transit vehicle operators at each of the 25 transit agencies. Results were tabulated and analyzed using database and spreadsheet applications.

The results of the questionnaire showed that customers have a favorable perception of security on transit systems. The results also indicated that customers believe their transit properties are addressing security issues. There was some variation in their perception of security while on the system versus when they were in the area surrounding the system, but no significant variances were observed.

Transit customers shared with the interviewers that the presence of security cameras and police officers were the two measures that most increased their perception of security. Customers view teenagers as the biggest threat to their security on the systems.

Transit vehicle operators were not as positive in their perception of security both on the system and in the surrounding areas. They also report higher incidences of observing significant security situations than do customers. Their perception of the extent to which transit agencies are addressing security issues is also lower than that of the customers.

The Results and Analysis section of this report gives greater detail on the responses received and provides samples of the comparative analyses that can be conducted on the data gathered. Further analyses can be conducted on the data, depending on the type of information sought.