CA: BART Earns Highest Security Rating from TSA

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) awarded BART the highest security rating possible following a comprehensive assessment of BART’s security program.

BART received a “Gold Standard” rating by attaining high scores across all categories of the TSA’s most recent Baseline Assessments for Security Enhancement (BASE).

TSA’s BASE program is designed to establish a security standard for individual system security programs and to assess progress. This voluntary comprehensive review of transit agency security programs focuses on multiple categories identified by the transit community as fundamentals for a sound transit security program. They include a review of topics such as an agency's security plans, security training, drills/exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check programs.

BART is among only 16 rail and mass transit agencies from across the nation to have earned the “Gold Standard” rating in the most recent assessment.

“Bay Area Rapid Transit is to be commended for their commitment and hard work that this level of achievement requires,” said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. “TSA commends these agencies for the continued dedication individual transit agencies demonstrate every day to ensure the security of travelers nationwide.”

"We are honored to have received this recognition from the TSA because it reflects our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our passengers, our employees, and our system,” said BART Police Chief Kenton Rainey. “We ask the public to continue to play a key role by reporting behavior or conditions that are suspicious to BART Police at 510-464-7000.”