Provides information on how small and medium-sized transit agencies can evaluate various approaches to risk management and can access risk management services at reasonable cost. It emphasizes liability and workers' compensation risks and insurance, but the discussion applies to property risks and insurance, as well. It contains information on differing transit agencies' risk management experiences. Three bus transit agency approaches to financing risk and the size of areas they serve are discussed in more detail, based on the results of a survey. Case study examples describe programs currently used at the Regional Transportation Commission of Reno, Nevada; the City of Jackson, Michigan Transportation Authority; and the Baldwin Rural Area Transit System of Robertsdale, Alabama.

This synthesis will be of interest to transit agency general managers, supervisors, and staff dealing with legal services and risk management issues, as well as to consultants that work with them. It describes those practices in place at public transit agencies to prevent and respond to third party fraudulent claims, including a review of salient aspects of the public transit claims process in the context of managing current and partial tort liability. It examines the level of claims, presents a structured methodology for approaching the fraudulent claims issue, and describes practices that have been implemented to reduce claims abuse. The emphasis is on strategies that organizations have adopted to counter insurance fraud.

Offers information on the current practices of transit agencies to reduce injuries to bus occupants during collisions and injuries to passengers while boarding, riding, and leaving the bus.