Although all levels of  government are involved in transit security, the primary responsibility  for securing transit systems has rested with the transit agencies. Specifically, TEA-21 prohibits transit agencies that serve  urbanized areas with populations of 200,000 or more from using urbanized  area formula funding for operating expenses. Throughout the world, public surface transportation systems have been  targets of terrorist attacks. Certain characteristics of transit systems, such as their high ridership and  open access, make them both vulnerable to attack and difficult to secure. Moreover, because of the numerous stakeholders involved  in transit security, coordination can become a problem. Characteristics of Transit Systems Pose Security Challenges

According to transit officials and transit security experts, certain  characteristics of mass transit systems make them inherently vulnerable to  terrorist attacks and difficult to secure. For example, the number of riders that  pass through a mass transit system—especially during peak hours—make  some security measures, such as metal detectors, impractical. Funding Security Improvements Is a Key Challenge

Funding security improvements is a key challenge for transit agencies. Our  survey results and our interviews with transit agency officials indicate that  insufficient funding is the most significant challenge in making transit  systems as safe and secure as possible. Factors contributing to funding challenges include high security  costs, tight budgets, competing budget priorities, and a provision  prohibiting transit agencies in large urbanized areas from using federal  urbanized area formula funds for operating expenses, such as security  training. Transit Agencies Are Taking Steps to Enhance Security

Prior to September 11, all 10 transit agencies we visited and many of the  transit agencies we surveyed were implementing measures to enhance  transit safety and security, such as revising emergency plans and training  employees on emergency preparedness. Since September 11, transit agencies have taken additional steps to  improve transit safety and security. 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. In addition, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act  gave TSA responsibility for transit security; however, TSA’s role and  responsibilities have not yet been defined. As the federal government’s role  in transit safety and security initiatives evolves, policymakers will need to  address several issues, including (1) the roles of stakeholders in funding  transit security, (2) federal funding criteria, (3) goals and performance  indicators for the federal government’s efforts, and (4) the appropriate  federal policy instrument to deliver assistance deemed appropriate. These components are needed to ensure  accountability and results.
Why GAO Did This Study

About one-third of terrorist attacks worldwide target transportation systems, and transit systems are the mode most commonly attacked. In light of the history of terrorism against mass transit and the terrorist attacks on September 11, GAO was asked to examine challenges in securing transit systems, steps transit agencies have taken to improve safety and security, and the federal role in transit safety and security. To address these objectives, GAO visited 10 transit agencies and surveyed a representative sample of transit agencies, among other things.

What GAO Found

Transit agencies have taken a number of steps to improve the security of their systems since September 11, such as conducting vulnerability assessments, revising emergency plans, and training employees. Formidable challenges, however, remain in securing transit systems. Obtaining sufficient funding is the most significant challenge in making transit systems as safe and secure as possible, according to GAO survey results and interviews with transit agency officials. Funding security improvements is problematic because of high security costs, competing budget priorities, tight budget environments, and a provision precluding transit agencies that serve areas with populations of 200,000 or more from using federal urbanized area formula funds for operating expenses. In addition to funding challenges, certain characteristics of transit agencies make them both vulnerable to attack and difficult to secure. For example, the high ridership and open access of some transit systems makes them attractive for terrorists but also makes certain security measures, like metal detectors, impractical. Moreover, because all levels of the government and the private sector are involved in transit decisions, coordination among all the stakeholders can pose challenges. While transit agencies are pursuing security improvements, the federal government's role in transit security is expanding. For example, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) launched a multipart security initiative and increased funding of its safety and security activities after September 11. In addition, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act gave the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) responsibility for the security of all transportation modes, including transit. TSA anticipates issuing national standards for transit security. As the federal government's role expands, goals, performance indicators, and funding criteria need to be established to ensure accountability and results for the government's efforts.