About 6,000 agencies  provide transit services in the United States, and the majority of these  agencies provide more than one mode of service. Additionally,  the Aviation and Transportation Security Act created TSA within the  Department of Transportation and gave it responsibility for the security of  all transportation modes, including transit. Transit Agencies Face Challenges in Making Transit Systems Secure

Transit agencies face significant challenges in making their systems secure. Certain characteristics of transit systems, such as their high ridership and  open access, make them both vulnerable to attack and difficult to secure. For example, the number of riders that pass through a  transit system—especially during peak hours—make some security  measures, such as metal detectors, impractical. Transit Agencies Are Taking Steps to Secure Systems

Prior to September 11, all 10 transit agencies we visited were implementing  measures to enhance transit safety and security, such as revising  emergency plans and training employees on emergency preparedness. Although safety and security were both priorities, the events of September  11 elevated the importance of security. Federal Government’s Role in Transit Security Is Evolving

The federal government’s role in transit security is evolving. For example,  FTA has expanded its role in transit security since September 11 by  launching a multipart security initiative and increasing the funding for its  safety and security activities. FTA also increased the funding of its safety and security activities after the  attacks of September 11. TSA’s Role In Transit Security Has Yet to Be Defined

TSA is responsible for the security of all modes of transportation, including  transit.
What GAO Found

Over a year has passed since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, realigned national priorities. Although most of the early attention following the attacks focused on airport security, emphasis on the other modes of transportation has since grown. Addressing transit safety and security concerns is complicated by the nature and scope of transit in the United States. About 6,000 agencies provide transit services, and each workday, 14 million Americans ride on some form of transit. Transit agencies face significant challenges in making their systems secure. Certain characteristics make them both vulnerable and difficult to secure. The high ridership of some transit agencies makes them attractive targets for terrorists but also makes certain security measures, like metal detectors, impractical. Another challenge is funding identified security enhancements. Despite the formidable challenges in securing transit systems, transit agencies have taken a number of steps to improve the security of their systems. Transit agencies visited by GAO were implementing strategies to improve both safety and security prior to September 11; however, the events of September 11 elevated the importance of security-related activity. Many agencies assessed vulnerabilities, provided additional training on emergency preparedness, revised emergency plans, and conducted multiple emergency drills. The federal government's role in transit security is evolving. Although the Federal Transit Administration has limited authority to oversee and regulate transit security, it launched a multipart security initiative and increased funding for its safety and security activities since September 11. In addition, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) within the Department of Transportation and gave it responsibility for transit security; however, TSA has yet to assume full responsibility for the security of any transportation mode other than aviation.