April 19, 2012

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is pleased to announce that we are the recipient of the 2012 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Gold Award.   RIPTA CEO Charles Odimgbe, along with RIPTA Board Chair Mayor Scott Avedisian, will accept the award from Doyle Raines, TSA General Manager, Mass Transit and Passenger Rail at the RIPTA Board Meeting on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 2:45pm.

RIPTA is one of seventeen rail and mass transit agencies across the nation that earned TSA’s highest rating of “Gold Standard” on the agency’s most recent Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE) for their dedication to building a strong security program.  The program is designed to establish a security standard for individual system security programs and assesses progress.  The BASE assessment analyzes the security program for each transit system and identifies vulnerabilities that are addressed.

TSA’s initial BASE review of RIPTA was conducted in September 2009.  This assessment found RIPTA severely deficient in all 17 categories with a score of 37% compliance.  RIPTA was actually performing many of the required items, but was not documenting them as required by TSA.

In response to the initial BASE assessment in 2009, RIPTA enhanced its security program.  Enhancements included conducting security training for all employees, including Sensitive Security Information and National Incident Management System, as well as coordinating security plans with state and local emergency management agencies.  In addition, the Rhode Island National Guard conducted a Threat and Vulnerability Assessment of the Authority. 

RIPTA was reviewed again in 2011 and attained high scores across all categories.  As of February 7, 2011, RIPTA had realized 100% compliance by updating internal security processes, procedures and policies.  

For information on RIPTA services and schedules, call 781-9400.