Rep. Robert Menendez (D-13th Dist.) was at the Hoboken Train Terminal Tuesday to unveil the Rail and Mass Transit Transportation Security Act of 2004, which is his plan to bring some level of parity to the federal funding for security on the nation’s trains and buses.
Menendez was joined by New Jersey State Department of Transportation head Jack Lettiere and New Jersey Transit Executive Director George Warrington to announce the transit security bill.A big gap
According to Menendez, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, data from the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism shows that public transportation passengers are in far more danger worldwide than airline passengers.
He said that around the globe, since 9/11 there have been roughly 50 terrorist incidents targeting airports and airlines, resulting in about 120 deaths. In the same three years, according to Menendez, there have been over 280 terrorist attacks on other transportation systems, with over 600 fatalities.
“The attacks in Madrid earlier this year are simply the most graphic reminder that our buses and trains are a tempting target for terrorists,” said Menendez Tuesday. “And yet, in the past two years the federal government has spent billions of dollars on aviation security, but only $115 million on transit security.”
He said that works out to about $9 for every flying passenger, and less than one cent per transit passenger. What the bill would fund
Menendez said his plan would provide $1 billion per year over the next five years for capital improvements, and $800 million annually for transit agency operating expenses, for a total of nearly $9 billion.
According to Menendez, the legislation would allow transit agencies, such as New Jersey Transit, to hire additional police and security officers in addition to new equipment. “Cameras, fences, and explosives detection equipment are all necessary, but they’re not very useful unless you have the people on the ground to make them work,” said Menendez. “My bill will also allow operating expenses to be used for overtime, helicopter patrols, K-9 units; in short, it unties the hands of our transit agencies and lets them spend the money where they need it.”
The bill would also authorize new research and development grants to assist in developing new technologies for both passenger and freight rail that can help reduce the threat of terrorist attacks.
And since rail security involves more than just deterring terrorist attacks, the legislation would establish new inspection procedures for tracks, and set new standards for tank cars, to make sure their hazardous cargo isn’t released in the event of an accident, added Menendez. A great need
According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the nation’s rail and transit systems require at least $5.2 billion in capital equipment and $800 million in annual operating expenses to adequately meet security needs.
“Congressman Menendez’s bill provides substantial and meaningful investment that would greatly enhance the security of the NJ Transit system,” added New Jersey Transit Executive Director Warrington. Local transit agencies would apply each year to the federal Department of Transportation or the Department of Homeland Security, with their estimate on how much funding they would need for their security costs.
NJ Transit officials said Wednesday that their agency would likely need around $75 million a year to maintain adequate security.
Warrington added that the agency does not have the funds to maintain an orange alert level ad infinitum. Also would protect tunnels
According to the bill, the legislation would specifically include $670 million for safety upgrades to the tunnels that run underneath New York, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.
Each year, approximately 24 million intercity rail passengers ride Amtrak, and 9.6 billion people travel by transit. Every day, 32 million commuters, students, and tourists use the public transportation system. Long road ahead
Menendez acknowledged that the bill, in its present form, will likely face several challenges. He said that he expects some version of a rail security bill to come to a vote either next week when the House reconvenes or possibly in January. “I believe this bill is already long overdue,” said Menendez.