CEOs and police chiefs from 15 of the nation's largest transit agencies gathered in Washington, D.C. for the National Transit Safety and Security Summit to share proven strategies for reducing crime, protecting transit workers, and improving the customer experience while advocating for continued federal support on Capitol Hill.

The participating agencies are achieving measurable safety improvements, sharing best practices nationally, and partnering with Congress to keep transit safe and reliable.

Recent results include dramatic reductions in crime, such as WMATA in Washington, D.C., having its lowest crime rate in history, a 50% crime reduction on San Francisco Muni since 2019, 31% on LA Metro since 2023, 41% on BART in San Francisco since 2025, and 21% on SEPTA in Philadelphia since 2025.

"Safety and security are our core values at Metro, and every customer and employee deserves to feel safe on our system. We've reduced crime to historic lows, cut fare evasion, and achieved record customer satisfaction while safely transporting millions of customers to major events,” said Randy Clarke, WMATA’s GM/CEO.

“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our customers and employees, and that commitment is reflected in the progress we achieved across the board in 2025 — including a 60% decrease in assaults on rail crews, a 19% decrease in assaults on bus operators, a 33% reduction in fare evasion and a four-percent reduction in crime systemwide,” added Kris Kolluri, NJ TRANSIT president and CEO.

According to Federal Transit Administration data, major passenger security events occur at a rate of just 0.15 incidents per one million bus passenger trips and 0.29 incidents per one million rail passenger trips, making public transportation one of the safest ways to travel in the U.S.

Boosting Surrounding Communities

Transit leaders also highlighted the critical role public transportation plays in supporting regional economies and moving millions of people safely during major national and international events, including the FIFA World Cup, America's 250th on the National Mall, and championship parades across the country.

Transit safety best practices highlighted by agency leadership include:

• Modernized fare gates in New York, San Francisco Bay Area, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. that reduce fare evasion, improve station security, and enhance the customer experience. 
• Regional public safety partnerships in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., that improve coordination among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
• Innovative virtual patrol operations, including SEPTA's camera monitoring center staffed by former law enforcement personnel who monitor more than 30,000 cameras across the system and coordinate rapid responses when incidents occur.
• Increased security presence on buses, trains, and in stations, including targeted enforcement initiatives and visible patrols focused on customer safety and system reliability—a tactic deployed in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, San Francisco, and Chicago.
• Implemented drones, including the recently established NJ TRANSIT Police Department Drone Unit, to provide real-time aerial awareness during emergencies, large-scale events, and other public safety operations.
• Adopted banning policies in regions including the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., to remove repeat and egregious offenders from transit systems.
• Fully enclosed operator barriers and protective shields that reduce assaults on frontline transit workers and enable operators to focus on moving customers safely.
• Expanded deployment of public safety technology, including networks of thousands of security cameras, real-time camera monitoring, mobile safety apps, and text-to-police programs that help identify incidents and speed response times.
• Crisis intervention and mental health response teams in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles that connect vulnerable individuals with services while improving safety throughout the transit network.
• Student safety initiatives, including school resource officers and truancy-reduction programs that help keep young customers safe and connected to educational opportunities.

Advocating for Sustained Federal Investment

Following the summit, transit leaders met with members of Congress to advocate for sustained federal investment and regulatory support.

The CEOs emphasized that transit systems are critical national infrastructure, carrying millions of passengers safely each day, connecting workers to jobs, supporting economic growth, and serving as essential transportation networks during major national events.

“Strong federal partnership is necessary to continue the safety gains agencies are achieving across the country,” said LA Metro Stephanie Wiggins. “Predictable federal funding helps protect riders and employees, strengthen security operations, and support the economic vitality of the communities we serve."