Conference Says Urgent Action Securing Intercity and Commuter Rail Needed
By Ron Thaniel
March 29, 2004
In preparation for congressional hearings March 22 on rail security, the Conference of Mayors sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Congressional leadership urging DHS to conduct a security risk assessment of the nation's intercity and commuter rail system. The letter also requested the development of an intercity and commuter rail security grant program comparable to the DHS port and mass transit security grant programs.
Key Intercity and Commuter Rail Security Recommendations in Conference's National Action Plan for Safety and Security in America's Cities:
- Security — resources to cover costs such as bomb detectors, en route train security, satellite communications on trains, head-end surveillance, lighting, fencing, alarms, and access control for tunnels, bridges, interlockings, track, yards and facilities. Funds would also be used to hire patrol officers, security officers, specialized personnel and bomb-trained canine teams.
- Infrastructure Capacity — resources to enhance reliability and capacity for bridges, track, interlockings, facilities and power; build New York's Pennsylvania Station access and egress.
- Life Safety — resources to complete the life safety program in New York City and to rehabilitate existing Baltimore and Washington, D.C. tunnels for ventilation and fire safety.
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The Conference of Mayors letter to DHS and Congress highlighted intercity and commuter rail security recommendations as listed in Conference's 2001 National Action Plan for Safety and Security in America's Cities report. Those security improvement recommendations are in two strategic areas — equipment and infrastructure.
Equipment security recommendations include bomb detectors, en route train security, satellite communications on trains, and head-end surveillance. Infrastructure security recommendations include lighting, fencing, alarms, and access control for tunnels, bridges, interlockings, track, yards and facilities.
Senate Commerce, Science, Transportation Committee Members Convey Frustration with DHS Over Rail Security Response
Conveying frustration and disappointment with DHS, Commerce, Science and Transportation Chair Senator John McCain (AZ) said on March 23, "Rail security efforts remain fragmented."
"The Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Maritime and Land Security Division has yet to complete a threat and vulnerability assessment for the rail system and prepare an integrated security plan that reflects the unique characteristics of passenger and freight rail operations," said McCain.
McCain vowed during the hearing to send a rail security bill to the Senate floor next month. If the measure is not considered as a separate bill on the Senate floor, McCain said he would try to add it to another legislative vehicle as an amendment.
"Only modest resources have been dedicated to maritime and land security over the past two and one-half years compared to the investments made to secure the airways. The good news is that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), individual commuter agencies, Amtrak, and the freight railroads have, on their own initiative, taken steps to safeguard passengers, facilities, and cargo," said McCain.
DHS Rail Security Initiatives
The Department of Homeland Security announced several rail security initiatives on March 22, including a mass transit K-9 program as well as a transit inspection pilot program that would screen luggage and carry-on bags for explosives at rail stations and aboard trains. The transit inspection pilot will be implemented at one station with commuter rail service in conjunction with Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration.
The hearing and DHS rail security initiatives come nearly two weeks after ten bombs ripped through four commuter trains in Madrid during the morning rush hour, killing at least 190 people and wounding more than 1,400. Following this, transportation security experts suggest that the United States is not doing enough to safeguard against such attacks on intercity and commuter trains.
To view the Conference's rail security letter and the DHS rail security initiatives visit our website at usmayors.org.
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