New rail security directives released, but without funding

The Homeland Security Department issued several directives Thursday to increase rail security, but stopped short of announcing new funding that industry organizations and some lawmakers say is badly needed.

The department issued a set of security directives that instruct commuter, transit and intercity passenger rail systems to comply with requirements that range from removing or replacing trash cans to using dogs to detect explosives.

"Millions of Americans travel by rail every day, and recent world events highlight the need to ensure they are kept safe from acts of terror," said Asa Hutchinson, DHS undersecretary for border and transportation security. "These protective measures, along with others already in place, advance our mission to ensure rail passengers are protected."

Jim Turner, D-Texas, ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said the directives do not go far enough.

"The obvious recommendations issued by [DHS] today do not represent the urgent investment that must be made to secure our transit systems," Turner said. "We must do more than simply remove trash cans and urge employees to report unattended property to adequately protect train and transit passengers. Since Sept. 11, the Bush administration has spent over $14 billion to secure our skies, but has allocated only $115 million to make our passenger rail systems safer."

The American Public Transportation Association issued a tepid response to the directives.

"Safety and security is the top priority of the public transportation industry," said APTA president William Millar. "Since September 11, 2001, the industry has spent $1.7 billion from its own resources to fund security initiatives, many of which are included in these directives."

APTA calculates that 16 times more Americans ride on public transportation each day than on domestic airlines.

Millar said additional measures are needed to protect public transportation systems. In a recent industry survey, APTA identified $6 billion in transit security needs. Millar said the Bush administration's fiscal 2005 budget request does not include direct funding for transit security, but puts $5.3 billion toward aviation security.

"Simply put, public transportation systems cannot independently shoulder the responsibility to pay for these mandated security measures on their own," Millar said. "We ask that the nation's millions of public transportation riders receive the same consideration as airline passengers."

The directives, which go into effect May 23, require rail operators to take a number of steps:

• Rail owners and operators must designate coordinators to enhance security-related communications with the TSA.
• Passengers and employees will be asked to report unattended property or suspicious behavior.
• At certain locations, operators will be required to remove trash receptacles, except clear plastic or bomb-resistant trash containers.
• When needed, canine explosive teams may be utilized to screen passenger baggage, terminals and trains.
• Facility inspections will be conducted by rail operators for suspicious or unattended items.
• Rail operators will ensure that security is at appropriate levels consistent with the DHS-established threat level.

DHS spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said in Aprilthat the department plans to set aside more funding for public transit security beginning next fiscal year. He said the department plans to establish specific grants under the Urban Area Security Initiative program. Additionally, he said public transit authorities could work with their local and state governments to apply for more funding through DHS' Office of Domestic Preparedness.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced several other steps in March that the department is taking to improve public transit security, including the creation of a rail security pilot program to test how commuter transit systems could be protected from explosives.