The Bi-State Development Agency in St. Louis, Missouri, will receive $187,500 to enhance employee training to recognize human trafficking and address other public safety incidents on buses. The agency was selected to receive funds along with 23 other agencies through the Human Trafficking Awareness & Public Safety Initiative Grant and Cooperative Agreement, announced January 28, 2020.
Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery, with nearly 25 million victims worldwide. FTA’s Human Trafficking Awareness and Public Safety Initiative is a public safety initiative that supports the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking initiative through transit-focused industry engagement, education, public awareness and outreach, and research and technical assistance to combat human trafficking in transit. Additionally, the program supports FTA’s operator assault and crime prevention efforts. The initiative aims to maximize the transit industry’s collective impact to address human trafficking and other public safety concerns.
To find out more visit FTA’s website.