The Transportation Security Administration has praised Atlanta's public transit system for achieving the agency's highest security level.

TSA officials said Wednesday that the Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transportation Authority earned TSA's gold standard in a security assessment.

The TSA's Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement is a voluntary comprehensive review of transportation agencies' security programs, which includes security training drills, background checks, public outreach initiatives and more.

MARTA was one of 16 agencies in the country to be recognized for achieving the TSA gold standard.

Tags: MARTA, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, security, Transportation Security Administration, public transit