Schumer: Westchester Commuter Rail Security Needs To Be Tightened - London Attacks Should Serve As Warning To Beef Up Metro-North Security

SCHUMER: WESTCHESTER COMMUTER RAIL SECURITY NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED - LONDON ATTACKS SHOULD SERVE AS WARNING TO BEEF UP METRO-NORTH SECURITY

Schumer Joined By Congresswoman Lowey, New Rochelle Mayor, Fire Commissioner, First Responders

Terrorist Attacks on London's Mass Transit System Should be Another Wake-Up Call for Commuter Rails Traveling To and From New York City

Senator Will Offer Amendment to Homeland Security Spending Bill That Would Improve Funding Streams for Rail Security, Pay For Anti-explosive Detection Devices for Trains

Westchester train stations and commuter rail lines are still vulnerable to terrorist attack and need federal support to bolster security efforts, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer warned today. Schumer explained that the terrorist attacks on London's mass transit should serve as a wake-up call to the federal government to tighten security on commuter rails outside New York City. With the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) having raised the terror threat level for commuter rails, the lawmakers discussed how Metro-North lines are still lacking proper security infrastructure and will require significant security upgrades.

"Following the attack on Madrid's rail system, the terrible terrorist attacks in London are our second wake-up call to greatly improve our rail and mass transit security here in America. It is clear that we're not doing close to enough and must do more. The soft underbelly of buses and subways and railroads are fully exposed to similar terrorist attacks unless we take real steps to beef up mass transit security immediately," Schumer said.

"We have known since September 11, 2001, that our homeland security efforts are a race against the clock. In light of last week's attacks in London, we must provide increased funds for rail and transit security," said Congresswoman Nita Lowey, a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security. "In addition, the Department of Homeland Security must expedite an overdue report on a national strategy for transportation security, which was due to Congress April 1st. I look forward to working with Senator Schumer to close the security gaps on our rail and transit systems."

To combat the heightened threat, Schumer will offer an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would quadruple the $100 million in the bill for both mass transit and rail security, for a total of $400 million for FY 2006. The proposed amendment would also double funding for bus security improvements from $10 million to $20 million. Schumer is also including a provision in the amendment that would require DHS to devote $50 million from DHS's science budget to develop explosive detectors for mass transit stations, rail cars, and buses.

Schumer has repeatedly urged the Administration to improve rail and mass transit security. Schumer called for the federal government to accelerate the development of detectors for rail and subway stations. Currently, individual transportation systems in major U.S. cities are developing their own detection devices, but Schumer said today that a coordinated effort funded by the federal government is needed to overcome the many technological barriers that face scientists and engineers working on such systems.

Schumer today released the following Metro-North ridership figures:
Line Total Ridership in April Year to Date Ridership through April
Harlem 2,100,000 8,000,000
Hudson 1,200,000 4,500,000
New Haven 2,800,000 10,800,000
Port Jervis* 105,000 408,000
Paskack* 34,000 133,000
*only New York State stops

Schumer is a lead sponsor of the Transportation Security Improvements Act of 2005 (S.1052, 109th) which would spend over $750 million over three years for rail/bus security, along with billions more dollars to beef up security for all modes of transportation across the county.

Schumer has also co-sponsored the Public Transportation Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (S.2884, 108th), which would have given $1 billion over three years for mass transit security, including authorizations for security assessments, grants, and research and development for mass transit security technology.

Finally, Schumer cosponsored legislation last Congress to allot $1.2 billion over five years for improvements to passenger and freight rail systems throughout the country. The legislation would have directed the Homeland Security Department to assess security risks to freight and passenger rail and develop recommendations for securing them. Schumer's measure would have required the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to study the cost and feasibility of screening all passengers, baggage and mail that travels on Amtrak trains, and would have also required the department to conduct a pilot program to randomly screen passengers and baggage at as many as 10 rail stations.

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/pr-latest_news.html