The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) honored the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) with the Gold Standard Award for safety in its rail system last week. NFTA is one of only four transit agencies nationwide to receive the recognition this year.

The Gold Standard Award is the highest level of recognition TSA can give to a transit agency for achieving top scores during an annual review of 17 categories of security and emergency preparedness elements. The review evaluates several aspects of a transit agency’s operations, including its security plan, security training, drills and exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check procedures.

The NFTA is a regional multi-modal transportation authority responsible for airport and surface transportation in Erie and Niagara counties. NFTA/NFTM businesses include a bus, rail and ADA paratransit system, two commercial airports and transportation centers in Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

In the most recent round of its Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE) evaluations, TSA reviewed 108 mass transit agencies for their security posture. In addition to NFTA, three other agencies earned honors: Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, Sacramento Regional Transit District and Jacksonville Transportation Authority.