During an emergency, transit agency employees may be responsible for managing incidents, assessing situations, and taking appropriate actions. Crisis management is stressful, so transit agency staff not only need clear procedures to follow, but also training and practice on how to carry out those procedures. From considering emergency response in vehicle and equipment purchasing to exploring new ways to prepare transit personnel for emergencies, there are many opportunities for transit agencies to enhance their ability to respond effectively to any emergency they may face.

In this guide, we discuss some of the most common voluntary recommendations the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Bus Safety Program has made to bus transit agencies to improve their response to emergencies. These recommendations are intended to help transit agencies reduce safety risk. We also provide examples of effective emergency response practices that transit agencies can adopt to implement the recommendations.

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