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Amtrak’s security program has been rated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as a Gold Standard — the highest rating under TSA’s Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancements (BASE).

BASE is a program designed to establish a standard for security programs and assess progress. Under the voluntary program, railroads’ and mass transit agencies’ security programs are assessed in various categories: security plans, security training, drills and exercises, public outreach efforts and background checks programs.

Amtrak has received high marks from TSA for establishing security and emergency awareness programs both internally and externally. The national intercity passenger railroad participates in TSA’s Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response Operations — which helps detect and deter suspicious or dangerous activity in various transportation modes — as well as the Operation RAILSAFE nationwide exercise to test counterterrorism and incident response capabilities along tracks and at stations.

Amtrak also conducts passenger baggage screenings, employs 50 canine explosive detection teams and has an extensive public outreach program.