A Little Background
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), through the Office of Safety and Security, oversees a host of programs focused on achieving the highest level of safety and security in America’s public transit systems. The Office of Safety and Security is responsible for guiding the development and implementation of programs and initiatives to continually improve the safety and security of passengers, employees, and the community. A cornerstone in meeting this mission is the re-engineered and revitalized Transit Bus Safety and Security Program.
The Bus Safety and Security Program is a voluntary guidance and technical assistance initiative that resulted from findings and recommendations in a report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The summary and full report (NTSB/SIR-98/03) can be found here. The program represents FTA’s efforts to implement strategies to address NTSB recommendations and build on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2003 by FTA, APTA, CTAA and AASHTO.
Program Manager
FTA’s Bus Safety and Security Program Manager is Ms. Maria Wright. Maria oversees all aspects of the Bus Safety and Security Program, including coordinating with FTA’s MOU Partners, guiding the development of technical assistance to support industry program implementation, identifying research initiatives to strengthen the transit bus community and directing all outreach efforts. In addition to her role as Program Manager for Bus Safety and Security, Maria supports FTA’s safety initiatives in rail safety oversight. Prior to joining the FTA in 2006, Maria worked for nearly 8 years with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to support regulation of the truck and bus industry. In her role as a Motor Carrier Safety specialist, Maria conducted onsite compliance reviews on motor carriers which included carriers who transported hazard materials and provided technical assistance and recommendations to strengthen safety practices. Maria graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Bowie State University and received her Master’s Degree in Transportation from Morgan State University.
Program Overview
Additional information on the Program can be found in the Program Overview Presentation.
Getting Started
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:
- Kick-off Guide – a brief introduction to the Program and an overview of the materials provided.
- List of Assistance Materials
- Meeting Agenda – some suggested topics you may want to cover during the first meeting. Guiding text is provided to help you get started.
- 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.
- Brainstorming Sheet – a few questions to help get the conversation started.
- 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:
- Access to the Self-assessment Tool to help you identify areas for improvement and helpful resources
- Ability to recommend resources and bookmark documents for later retrieval
- 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!
How We're Doing
In our effort to improve transparency and accountability, we are providing this page as a resource to the general public to follow the progress of the Program’s components and initiatives.
State DOT Orientation Seminars
FTA continues to reach out to volunteer states to host orientation seminars to familiarize state DOTs and their sub-recipients with the Program.
Feedback on the seminars is found here.
Progress
Conducted 32 seminars to date: View Map
Leverage Existing Technology to Provide Increased Technical Assistance, Oversight and Communication to the Transit Bus Community
FTA continues to make improvements and adjustments to the resource website based on user feedback and new Program initiatives.
Progress
- Currently conducting a thorough review of resources to remove outdated ones and update old versions to new versions.
- Added a link to the Home page for NHTSA recall information.
Equip State DOTs with Tools to Promote the Framework
FTA continues to work with representatives from AASHTO and state DOTs to provide tools to help them convey the Program to upper management and their sub-recipients.
Progress
- Prepared and delivered State DOT Orientation Seminar and Voluntary Onsite Review program overview presentations to state DOT representatives through AASHTO
- Prepared and delivered a Primer for State DOTs presentation.
Onsite Transit Bus Safety and Security Reviews
FTA continues to work with volunteer bus transit providers to schedule and conduct onsite reviews. The reviews are not compliance-based and allow FTA an opportunity to provide technical assistance and collect effective practices in safety, security, and emergency preparedness.
Progress
Conducted 48 voluntary onsite reviews to date: View Map
Expand the Current Transit Bus Safety and Security Program to Larger Systems
While the initial push of this program has primarily focused on smaller systems, FTA recognizes that larger systems can benefit from similar tools.
Progress
Continue to upload resources to support larger bus systems.
Increase Opportunities for Coordination with State DOTs and Sub-recipients
FTA continues to coordinate with state DOTs to leverage venues for the advancement of the Program’s Roadmap, thereby increasing the cost-effectiveness of outreach efforts.
Progress
Provided a presentation at the Louisiana Public Transportation Conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on November 28, 2012.
Increase Collaboration Opportunities with FTA’s Program Partners
FTA continues to work with representatives from APTA, AASHTO, CTAA, National RTAP, TSA, and Tribal Community Representatives to identify collaboration opportunities.
Progress
- Provided a presentation on the Bus Program at the 1st Technical Assistance and Tribal Transit Program Conference on March 19, 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona
- Manned a booth at CTAA’s Expo 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland in May.
- Moderated a panel on the benefits of the Bus Safety and Security Program in supporting transit safety, security, and emergency preparedness in rural transit at the 20th Annual Rural and Intercity Public Transit Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 15, 2012.
- Scheduled a booth at the upcoming CTAA Expo 2013 being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico
A Little Background
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), through the Office of Safety and Security, oversees a host of programs focused on achieving the highest level of safety and security in America’s public transit systems. The Office of Safety and Security is responsible for guiding the development and implementation of programs and initiatives to continually improve the safety and security of transit passengers, employees, and the community. A cornerstone in meeting this mission is the re-engineered and revitalized Transit Bus Safety and Security Program (Program).
The Program is a voluntary guidance and technical assistance initiative that resulted from findings and recommendations in a report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The summary and full report (NTSB/SIR-98/03) can be found here. The Program represents FTA’s efforts to implement strategies to address NTSB recommendations and build on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2003 by FTA, APTA, CTAA and AASHTO.
Additional information on the Program can be found in the Program Overview Presentation.
The Partners. In 2003, FTA established a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Community Transit Association of America (CTAA), and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to address NTSB recommendations. In addition to APTA, CTAA and AASHTO, FTA coordinates with the National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP), educational institutions, Federal agencies, state transit associations, and, of course, bus transit agencies all across the nation. A copy of the MOU can be found here.
The Mission. FTA and its MOU Partners believe that the Nation’s transit agencies are committed to achieving safety, security and emergency preparedness excellence. The Program is a voluntary, non-compliance based technical assistance effort designed to support that commitment to excellence. The Program is founded on the philosophy that “one-size does not fit all” but rather each transit agency operates within a unique context of its own resources and on-the-ground realities. The goal of this Program is to help transit agencies continue their critical work in enhancing the safety and security of employees, customers and community.
The Components. The Program is based on the integration of several critical components that support transit agencies:
- Working Group - establishes working relationships between FTA, state departments of transportation (DOT), industry providers, industry associations, educational institutions and other Federal partners.
- Roadmap to Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness Excellence - voluntary guidance presented within the context of six key functions of bus transit safety, security, and emergency preparedness programs: Management, Operations and Maintenance, Human Resources, Safety Activities, Security Activities, and Emergency/All-hazards Management.
- Resource Website - houses thousands of resources, a safety, security and emergency preparedness self-assessment tool, and transit case studies; presents transit safety and security news and lists transit events.
- State DOT Orientation Seminars - a means to inform state DOTs and their 5311 sub-recipients about the resource website and provide technical assistance on the guidance outlined in the Roadmap.
- Voluntary Onsite Reviews - provides FTA an opportunity to identify transit bus agency challenges, recognize and share effective practices, and address the needs of a widely varied industry from a firsthand perspective.
The Website. The foundation of the Program is the technical assistance website that houses resources contributed by transit agencies, state DOTs, federal agencies and other industry and non-industry sources. The website also has a variety of other tools to support safety, security and emergency preparedness program development:
- A personal dashboard for registered users to identify areas of interest for which they want to receive email notifications, and quickly and easily gain access to bookmarked resources.
- A self-assessment tool for registered users to evaluate the safety, security and emergency preparedness infrastructure of their agency. Beneath each assessment question is a link to useful tools that pertain to that question.
- Case studies that teach the application of safety and security principles through analysis of realistic transit-based scenarios.
- Transit safety and security news and transit events
The Resources. Over 1200 practical resources reside within the technical assistance library. These resources include policies, procedures, handbooks, checklists, templates, forms, and links to Federal regulations and guidance. The resources are organized under the six key function categories of the Roadmap, making it easier for users to locate technical assistance.
The Outcome. FTA and its Program Partners are aware of and sensitive to the enormous challenges facing transit agencies as they work to address safety, security and emergency preparedness priorities. This Program was created and designed to assist agencies in meeting these challenges. The Program is based on belief in the power of a partnership of federal and state agencies, transit associations and transit agencies working through a national clearinghouse for information dissemination. The desired outcome of this Program is enhanced exposure to information that will help transit agencies voluntarily improve their safety, security, and emergency preparedness infrastructure.
FTA Transit Bus Safety and Security Program Initiatives
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the Federal Transit Administration’s initiatives for the Transit Bus Safety and Security Program.
We believe it is important to be open and forward-looking with the bus transit community about the decisions and initiatives already implemented and being planned. FTA continues to work with the industry, state DOTs, the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to identify strategies for the future of the Transit Bus Safety and Security Program. By working together, we can continue to improve safety and security for passengers, employees, and all others who share roadways with public transit buses. This page brings together recommendations and strategies to support bus transit agencies and report on FTA’s approach to these fundamental issues.
FTA intends to advance the Program through the activities identified below:
Continue Coordination and Collaboration with the Program Working Group- The FTA Bus Safety and Security Program Working Group was formed to 1) create a foundation of expertise for bus transit industry safety and security program implementation, 2) provide a consistent method for the review of program deliverables, and 3) provide a methodology for ongoing communication between FTA, its partners to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU Partners) and the bus transit industry.
FTA will continue to coordinate with Program Working Group members and solicit their support to:
- Provide feedback on program direction
- Participate in program discussions with key Federal partners
- Review program materials
- Identify technical assistance materials to fill needs or gaps
Consensus was reached that the best methodology for accomplishing the above described Working Group mission is to divide the overall Working Group into Subgroups based on key functional areas. Subgroup responsibilities include reviewing existing technical assistance materials, helping to identify new technical assistance materials, and providing feedback on Program direction as it relates to the key function they were assigned. Subgroups were established for the key functions of Management, Operations and Maintenance, Human Resources, Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness.
Bring Safety and Security Orientation Training Seminars to all State DOTs across the Nation- Increase the number of Transit Bus Safety and Security Orientation Seminars conducted each year. Since the Program’s inception FTA has conducted seminars in 23 states and post-seminar evaluations indicate that participants believe the seminar is helpful to them in identifying their safety, security, and emergency preparedness priorities, and in providing a strong stimulus for their utilization of FTA program resources. These FTA/State DOT Orientation Seminars provide an opportunity for FTA program representatives, state DOT representatives, and individual transit agency representatives to engage in conversations about safety, security, and emergency preparedness challenges facing rural and small urban transit providers and demonstrate how users can take full advantage of the Resource Website.
View a map of completed and upcoming Orientation Seminars
Leverage Existing Technology to Provide Increased Technical Assistance, Oversight and Communication to the Transit Bus Community – In order to support the small and rural transit community, as well as larger bus transit agencies, expand the capabilities of the Transit Bus Safety and Security Resources website. The website currently provides numerous tools, whose benefits can easily transfer from smaller agencies to larger ones.
Technical assistance materials will need to be developed to address identified gaps and support program implementation. In addition, technical assistance materials must be developed and compiled to ensure sufficient resources for larger systems. To support training, the website can deliver web-based video to make training more accessible. In addition, services such as community webinars can be utilized to increase program communication and participation. Increasing accessibility to training will provide unprecedented outreach to small, rural, and community transit agencies.
Equip State DOTs with Tools to Promote the Framework – Directly support state DOTs with technical assistance tools to help promote the Program. The role of State DOTs is critical to the successful implementation of the Program. Equipping state DOTs with the safety, security and emergency preparedness tools they need will help them organize their own program efforts. FTA will provide states with technical assistance materials, such as presentations and templates for structuring and managing their own internal programs, as well as materials to support their relationship with sub-recipients.
Onsite Transit Bus Safety and Security Reviews – Work to increase the number of voluntary reviews that are conducted each year under the Transit Bus Safety and Security Program. Each review allows FTA to work directly with individual transit agencies and assess their safety, security and emergency preparedness programs within the context of the Program’s Roadmap. FTA will continue to use these onsite reviews to oversee program implementation, identify industry needs, and deliver practical technical assistance in the form of effective industry practices, such as templates, forms, plans and procedures.
View a map of completed and upcoming Onsite Reviews
Expand the Current Transit Bus Safety and Security Program to Larger Systems – Collaborate with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) to conduct onsite reviews and provide technical assistance to larger systems, in addition to the current small, rural and community transit initiatives. Increase the library of technical assistance materials and expand the web-based self-assessment tool to include larger systems.
Increase Opportunities for Coordination with State DOTs and Sub-recipients- The Transit Bus Safety and Security Program initiated coordination efforts with state DOTs and their sub-recipients through a State DOT Invitational Workshop and the state DOT Orientation Seminars in which one representative from each 5311 transit agency participated. As sub-recipients do not typically have a direct relationship with FTA, this Program has provided a vehicle for technical assistance in areas of operations and maintenance as they relate to safety, security and emergency preparedness. FTA will increase coordination efforts through the use of more frequent teleconference calls with Working Group and Subgroup members and use webinars to augment communication.
Increase Collaboration Opportunities with FTA’s Program Partners – FTA can build on existing partnerships with APTA, AASHTO, CTAA, National RTAP, TSA and Tribal Community Representatives and enhance program awareness through coordination at workshops, conferences and other venues. Further, FTA will reach out more frequently to stakeholders through meetings and teleconference calls to discuss program policy and direction. In addition, FTA will coordinate its own workshops to support the advancement of the program at venues whose focus is not primarily on safety, security and emergency preparedness.
FTA Program Partners
FTA is fortunate to work with many excellent partners in its efforts to enhance safety, security and emergency preparedness in the transit bus industry. By all of us working together, we enhance our efforts to keep our employees, passengers and communities safe and secure. The following FTA partners have taken leadership roles in supporting this mission achievement.
- Individual bus transit agencies - the people who focus on safety and security day-in and day-out.
- State DOTs - the agencies that work under enormous pressure and still find time to provide support to the bus transit agencies in their states.
- State Transit Associations - the entities that bring real technical assistance to enhance grass root transit operations.
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) - the national association that represents state DOTs and supports safety, security and emergency preparedness initiatives. AASHTO’s mission is to “advocate transportation-related policies and provide technical services to support states in their efforts to efficiently and safely move people and goods.” You can read more about AASHTO’s 2009-2013 Strategic Plan here.
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) - the national association that has a long history of addressing industry safety and security concerns. APTA’s vision is to strengthen and improve public transportation. APTA serves and leads its diverse membership through advocacy, innovation, and information sharing. APTA, through its policy and planning committees, has played a major role in creating active working structures within the organization focused on the development of standards for the industry.
APTA continues to focus its activities on the seven goals identified as priority areas in the five-year strategic plan.
RIDERSHIP-Improve services that support member efforts to increase ridership and transportation choices.
ECONOMIC VITALITY-Increase services that support member efforts to strengthen the economic vitality of the public transportation industry and the communities they serve.
ADVOCACY-Support and advance public transportation by influencing and educating decision-makers at the federal level and assisting APTA members in shaping state and local policies favorable to public transportation.
IMAGE-Improve the image of public transportation.
PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS-Promote services to members that enhance the strengths and effectiveness of their organizations.
SAFETY AND SECURITY-Provide services, standards, and effective practices that create safe and secure environments for public transportation riders, workers, and communities.
ASSOCIATION DEVELOPMENT-Strengthen APTA to better serve its members.
Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) - the national association that provides a home for smaller transit agencies as they address enormous challenges with limited resources. CTAA consists of organizations and individuals who support creating mobility for all Americans regardless of where they live or work.
CTAA believes there are many paths to creating that mobility. This is one of the reasons their membership includes community transit providers, public transit agencies, organizations providing health care, employment services, governments of all kinds, college and university planners, private bus companies, taxi operators, people concerned with the special mobility needs of those with disabilities, manufacturers and many other organizations who share a commitment to mobility.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - the agency tasked with the enormous responsibility of keeping our nation and our transit systems secure. The Department of Homeland Security has a vital mission: to secure the nation from the many threats we face. This requires the dedication of more than 225,000 employees in jobs that range from aviation and border security to emergency response, from cybersecurity analyst to chemical facility inspector. DHS duties are wide-ranging, but their goal is clear – keeping America safe.
In achieving this goal, DHS continually strengthens partnerships with communities, first responders, law enforcement and government agencies – at the state, local, tribal, federal and international levels. DHS is accelerating the deployment of science, technology, and innovation in order to make America more secure. And DHS is becoming leaner, smarter, and more efficient, ensuring that every security resource is used as effectively as possible.
National Rural Transit Assistance Program - the program that brings practical training to the place where the rubber hits the road. Since its inception, National RTAP has developed and distributed training materials, provided technical assistance, generated reports, published best practices, scholarships, conducted research, and offered Peer Assistance with the goal of improved mobility for the millions of Americans living in communities with populations under 50,000.
The program operates today under a cooperative agreement between the Federal Transit Administration and the Neponset Valley Transportation Management Association. National RTAP’s overarching mission is addressing the needs of rural, small urban and tribal transit operators across the nation. Much of the work of National RTAP is overseen by the National RTAP Review Board. Their expertise in the field of rural transit helps guide and inform the development of National RTAP products and services. The Review Board is made up of both local transit operators and state departments of transportation personnel.