Research Triangle Park, N.C. – Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security raised the threat level from code yellow, or elevated, to code orange, high, for the     mass-transit portion of the transportation sector.  The change followed attacks on London's transport system earlier in the day. 

DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff said the change in the alert level includes regional and inner-city passenger rail, subways and metropolitan bus systems.

With today's events, vigilance is more important than ever. General Manager John Claflin said, "TTA is in contact with state and federal officials and with other public and private sector transit and transportation agencies.  TTA’s transit operators have received training in specific security measures they should take to insure a safe trip for our riders."

Claflin continued, "We are asking that our customers assist us by keeping an eye open for suspicious activity or unattended items and tell a bus operator or TTA employee immediately.  TTA’s main concern at this and at all times is the safety and security of our passengers."

TTA is a regional public transportation provider, offering a wide variety of transit and vanpool services to North Carolina's greater Triangle Region and outlying counties. Bus service is available to Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, RDU International Airport, Research Triangle Park (RTP) and Raleigh. The Triangle Transit Authority also provides commuter resources and hosts GoTriangle.org, the on-line resource for public transportation information in the Triangle.

TTA plans to implement a 28-mile rail transit system with 12 stations connecting     Durham, RTP, Cary and Raleigh, with shuttles linking RDU International Airport and RTP. The rail transit system is expected to be operational in 2008. For more information, visit www.rideTTA.org or call (919) 549-9999.