TSA honors five rail, transit agencies for security measures

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has commended five rail and mass transit agencies for earning the "Gold Standard" — the administration's highest security rating, agency officials announced yesterday.

The ratings are part of TSA's 2014 Baseline Assessments for Security Enhancement program, which involves a voluntary review of various security measures, ranging from security plans and training to public outreach efforts and background check programs.

The five agencies to achieve the rating were the Virginia Railway Express, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, MTA Long Island Rail Road, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit.

"These agencies are to be commended for their commitment and hard work that this level of achievement requires and for their continued dedication to ensure the security of travelers nationwide," said TSA Acting Administrator Melvin Carraway in a press release.