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Guest Commentary November 23, 2001
Securing Our Rail System
The Honorable Olympia Snowe
Twenty-five years ago, Congress created Amtrak to consolidate and strengthen our national passenger rail system. Watching the success with which new and higher-speed rail service swept through Europe and the Pacific Rim, we recognized the opportunities that rail service could provide as a part of our overall transportation system. But today, in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, we realize a new priority not only to provide convenient and reliable passenger rail service, but also service that is secure.
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Before September 11th, boarding an Amtrak train was little harder than riding the subway – and in some ways, it was easier, because you could purchase a ticket on board the train. Those days have passed, as Amtrak requires photo identification and no longer permits ticket purchases on-board the train. But unfortunately, there has not been a similar change in the screening of passengers and carry-on baggage.
To provide a response that will reassure passengers and step-up security, I recently introduced a measure with Senator John Breaux (D-LA), chairman of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee, that would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to initiate a demonstration project at five of the ten Amtrak stations with the heaviest passenger traffic. Amtrak would be required to conduct random passenger and carry-on baggage checks or screening at these stations - a step that would help determine the feasibility of expanding screening to other Amtrak stations. During the initial demonstration, the Secretary of Transportation would have authority to select additional stations in order to determine how screening works at smaller facilities. The legislation envisions examination of a variety of X-ray and explosive detection devices, and metal detectors that would help assure safety on Amtrak.
While improvements in passenger and baggage screening will significantly step-up security, we must continue working to ascend the steep learning curve on security that we’ve come to realize since the September 11th terrorist attacks. As we learned in preparing aviation security legislation, the U.S. has not cornered the market on security innovations and there is much we can learn from other nations that have faced or addressed similar challenges. With their extensive rail systems and a national network of police and security officials, rail systems in Europe, Asia and other regions may be able to provide valuable insight as we seek to upgrade our own rail transportation security.
Last week, I introduced legislation that would require a thorough examination of rail security in other countries by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO). The bill directs the GAO to examine screening procedures, processes, and other security measures that could apply in the U.S. For example, the Eurotunnel – the French-British consortium which operates the "Chunnel" under the English Channel between Great Britain and France – has made security a top priority without degrading passenger service. In addition to the company’s own private security personnel, the Chunnel is patrolled by a bi-national force of police, immigration and customs officers. And both the company and respective government agencies routinely conduct intelligence-led security checks on both passenger and freight vehicles. This is just one example that could provide the U.S. with the insight necessary to employ future security procedures.
On December 11th – after more than a decade of hard work that has seen the restoration of the rail line, construction of stations, and triumph over various hurdles – passenger train service will return to Maine. I have been proud to work in the Senate and in the House to secure the more than $38 million in funding to restore Maine’s track, and to assist in overcoming various challenges along the way.
As Amtrak service stretches into Maine and the call of "all aboard" goes out to passengers traveling to the Pine Tree State, I want to be sure they will travel the rails of secure and sound service that will reassure passengers and provide them with peace-of mind. To this end, I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues to support initiatives such as foreign rail studies and passenger screening that will provide the knowledge and procedures necessary to secure our national rail system.
Olympia Snowe, a Republican, is a U.S. Senator from Maine. The above commentary has been adapted from a weekly column Sen. Snowe issued, November 23, 2001 column. To contact her, Click Here.
The above column has been distributed by PoliticsOL.com.
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