The TSA has commended 13 transit and passenger-rail agencies for achieving the TSA's highest rating for transit security.

The agencies received TSA's “Gold Standard” on their 2015 Baseline Assessments for Security Enhancement for their dedication to building a strong security program.

The BASE program is designed to establish a security standard for individual system security programs and assess progress. The voluntary comprehensive review of transit agency security programs focuses on multiple categories, which include a review of topics such as an agency’s security plans, security training, drills/exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check programs. The BASE program analyzes the security program for each transit system and identifies opportunities to further enhance security.

The 13 agencies recognized for achieving the Gold Standard in 2015 are: C (COTA); Miami-Dade Transit (MDT); Amtrak; Metro-North Railroad Company, which is part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD); Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA); Metropolitan Transportation Authority/ New York City Transit (MTA/NYCT); Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (PATH), which is part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Pace-Suburban Bus Division in the Chicago area; New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA); North County Transit District (NCTD) of North San Diego County; Port Authority Transportation Corporation (PATCO), which is the high-speed train line between Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia; and Minnesota Metro Transit, which serves the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.