The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) earned a Gold Standard Award for transit safety and security from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). NFTA was recognized and presented with a plaque marking the achievement on April 6.
“This Gold Standard Award symbolizes NFTA’s commitment to its passengers, its adherence to core principles and its leadership in mass transit security,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske, who was in Buffalo, N.Y., to present the award. “We are proud partners with NFTA, and we are pleased to recognize them for their continued commitment to transportation security.”
TSA selects a number of agencies for evaluation through its Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE) program every year and then recognizes the highest scoring agencies with a Gold Standard Award. TSA reviewed 108 transit agencies during the most recent round of BASE evaluations and recognized four with Gold Standard Awards. Last week, Jacksonville Transportation Authority received its award for the same achievement. Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and Sacramento Regional Transit District were the additional agencies to earn the distinction.
TSA’s evaluation encompasses 17 categories of security and emergency preparedness elements, including an agency’s security plan, procedures and practices, as well as its security training, testing, drills and exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check procedures.
“We are so proud to receive the TSA Gold Standard Award,” said NFTA Executive Director Kim Minkel. “This serves as a testament towards our commitment to the safety of our riders and community. Everyone in the organization is dedicated to the highest standard of safety and security.”
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.
