TSA to require rail, bus operators to train employees to identify terrorist threats

Railroads and public transit agencies will have to provide security training to certain employees to help them identify terrorist-related threats, according to a new rule from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Effective June 22, the order requires higher-risk freight railroad carriers, public transportation agencies, passenger railroads and bus companies to provide TSA-approved security training to employees performing security-sensitive functions, according to a final rule published March 23 in the Federal Register.

"The training curriculum must teach employees how to observe, assess and respond to terrorist-related threats and/or incidents," the rule states.

In addition, the TSA is expanding its requirement for security coordinators and the reporting of security concerns to include bus operations. Currently, that requirement applies only to rail operations.