Conclusions
FTA has a demonstrated commitment to transit security. The FTA’s Safety and Security Program goal is to achieve the highest practical level of safety and security for all modes of transit. Through efforts such as commissioning this report to providing voluntary security audits of transit agencies, FTA continues to play an active role in transit security.

Everyone has a role to play in transit system security. Communication lines must be kept open and information on this subject needs to be shared. Customer advocacy groups can help transit agencies keep in touch with passenger’s perception of security. Transit agencies should develop an inventory of processes such as surveys, interviews, comment cards and ride checks to monitor security from passenger and vehicle operator perspectives. The transit agencies that participated in this questionnaire process welcomed the FTA’s efforts and were interested in the results. Their support of this effort is greatly appreciated. A communication tool for sharing security information should be developed on a national level, not only to report security incidents, but also to promote the sharing of trends and techniques in the area of transit security.

Transit agencies have a valuable source of security information in their own transit operators. Vehicle operators should be included in the design, implementation and provision of security systems. Transit system security committees at the local and national levels, comprised of customers, vehicle operators, transit security and local police, could facilitate continuous improvement in the sensitive area of transit security.

Further roles for FTA could include expanding tools for sharing security information among its grantees, compilation of transit security best practices, and more detailed studies on security issues.

This report focused only on passenger and operator security. FTA views transit security from many perspectives, which include not only passenger and operator security, but also the security of revenue, facilities and vehicles. Additional information in these areas could provide important insight to transit system security. Finally, training and information disseminated by FTA have been found to be excellent resources for transit agencies.