The Transportation Security Administration has honored the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority with the prestigious Gold Standard Award for safety in its rail system. The NFTA is one of only four transit agencies nationwide to receive this recognition this year.

The Gold Standard Award is the highest level of recognition TSA can give to a transit agency for achieving top scores during an annual review of 17 categories of security and emergency preparedness elements. The review evaluates several aspects of a transit agency’s operations, including its security plan, security training, drills and exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check procedures.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske visited Buffalo this April to bestow the honor in person.