The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) said it experienced a cyber attack this week. The attack caused temporary disruptions to real-time bus information and other information systems, but bus service continued to operate.
An alert on the authority’s website indicated its rider tools were unavailable and route information could be obtained by calling TheRide directly.
“As soon as we became aware of the situation, our team immediately began taking action. We shut down many of our systems, including our real-time bus information and in-office assistance while we assessed the situation,” TheRide CEO Matt Carpenter said. “We are working hard to restore our real-time bus information and other tools as quickly as possible. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience as we work through this.”
The authority reported the incident to law enforcement and noted the investigation is ongoing and updates will be provided as needed.
Unfortunately, TheRide is not alone in its fight against cyber attackers. New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, TransLink and Société de transport de Montréal have all been breached within the past 18 months in some form.
Earlier this month, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced plans to be detailed later this year for certain passenger rail and transit providers to meet cybersecurity-focused requirements. The pending mandates are part of the department’s transportation “sprint” aimed at enhancing cybersecurity and resilience within the sector.
Secretary Mayorkas says the upcoming security directive will see “higher-risk railroad and rail transit entities” identify a cybersecurity point person, report cyber incidents to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and develop a contingency and recovery plan should an attack occur.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
