Receiving the award (from L to R): TSA Region 5 Acting Security Director Michael Madrigal, MTS Chief Executive Officer Sharon Cooney, MTS Director of Transit Security and Passenger Safety Tim Curran, Deputy Director of Security and Passenger Safety Daniel Brislin. (Photo courtesy of MTS)

Congratulations to the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Security Department, which received the Gold Standard Award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration — the agency’s highest level of recognition for maintaining a safe, secure transit system.

MTS is one of just two transit agencies in the U.S. to earn this award in 2024.

The Gold Standard Award recognizes transit agencies that achieve top scores on TSA’s Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement. TSA praised MTS for its strong, comprehensive security program and high BASE scores.

“San Diego MTS has a long history of world-class innovation in security and has maintained one of the highest levels of vigilance, preparedness, and regional cooperation with other agencies that I’ve ever seen,” said TSA San Diego Field Office Lead Inspector Chris Hatfield. “We’re proud to recognize MTS as an industry leader, and are thankful for their continued partnership.”

MTS operates 92 bus routes and four Trolley lines across 10 cities and unincorporated areas, serving about 80.1 million passengers in FY 2025. Among the nation’s top 25 transit agencies, MTS has seen the second-fastest-growing ridership since the COVID-19 pandemic.

BASE is a TSA program that assesses transit security across 17 categories, including program management, emergency response training, public awareness, threat-level protective measures, physical and cyber security, personnel security, and information sharing. MTS received high scores across all categories.

Recent investments that strengthened MTS security include:

  • Significant investments in information security are aligned with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
  • A 60% increase in Code Compliance Inspectors.
  • Upgraded security hotline technology for faster response times.
  • Expanded Trolley “train teams” from 5–6 to 8–10 per shift.
  • Doubled the Bus Enforcement security team.
  • Doubled the plain-clothes security patrol team.
  • Expanded the homeless outreach team to seven days a week
  • Opened and staffed security outposts at busy transit centers for greater on-system presence.