Below is a sample sequence of first steps you may want to take to become familiar with the Bus Safety and Security Program and then identify the actions you want to take.

Step 1: Download and read FTA’s Roadmap to Excellence.
FTA’s Transit Bus Safety and Security Program is founded on established practices that were developed with input from your peers and national safety, security, and emergency preparedness stakeholders.  These practices are grouped into a “roadmap” of key functions  of bus transit safety, security and emergency preparedness programs.  By reading the Roadmap to Excellence, you will become familiar with each key function and its set of related elements.  Short overviews describe each topic and its importance to safety, security and emergency preparedness.

Step 2: Browse the website.
One of the best ways to become familiar with the Program and the website is to simply browse the site and get an overview of the website structure and content.  Certain pages will help you learn more about the Program before you jump in.  These links are listed in Step 3 below.

Step 3: Develop your strategy to move forward.
Once you are familiar with the Program and the online tools within the website, hold a meeting to identify your next steps.  Invite staff responsible for safety, security and emergency preparedness efforts to develop a strategy to incorporate the resource website into your program.  We prepared some additional materials that you may want to print and share with your staff.  We also provide some useful templates to help as you move forward.

They include:

1. Kick-off Guide – a brief introduction to the Program and an overview of the materials provided.
2. List of Assistance Materials
3. Meeting Agenda – some suggested topics you may want to cover during the first meeting.  Guiding text is provided to help you get started.
4. Program and Website Overview – you may want to print and share this document with your staff so they have a basic understanding of the program.
5. Brainstorming Sheet – a few questions to help get the conversation started.
6. Website Utilization Task Schedule – a sample tool to use or re-develop to help you record your next steps.

Step 4: Register.
When you register, you will instantly have access to additional tools to help you evaluate and strengthen your safety, security and emergency preparedness program.  Registration only takes a couple of minutes and the benefits include:

1. Access to the Self-assessment Tool to help you identify areas for improvement and helpful resources
2. Ability to recommend resources and bookmark documents for later retrieval
3. A personal dashboard for identifying areas of interest, email notifications and quick and easy access to your bookmarked documents

Some users may want to register during Step 2 to immediately view the entire website.

Step 5: Implement your strategy for moving forward.
Once you are familiar with the Program and identified how to best move forward, it is time to put your strategies into action.  It is very important to capture information on the actions that you have identified.  Use the sample task schedule or another tool to track your progress.

Congratulations

Congratulations, you are moving your program forward and making positive change for your passengers and employees.  Please continue your commitment and let FTA know how we can help you help your riding public.  Thank you for all of your hard work!