A U.S. senator called for “no-ride” list on Amtrak trains on Sunday after documents seized from Osama bin Laden’s compound pointed to a potential terror attack on America’s rail system.
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to extends its Secure Flight program, which cross-checks air travelers with the terror watch list, to Amtrak trains.
Amtrak would be responsible for cross checking passengers’ photo IDs against the no-ride list before boarding.
The national rail system, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this month, carried nearly 29 million passengers in FY2010.
Documents seized in last week’s raid of a Pakistani compound that killed 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden showed that the terror group considered a plot to derail a passenger train on the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001.
The senator has also called for increased funding for Amtrak to go toward additional security measures such as track inspections.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated on Monday that the $2 billion high-speed rail funding rejected by Florida Governor Rick Scott earlier this year will be reallocated to projects in 15 other states.
Nearly $800 million of that will be used to upgrade speeds on parts of the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C. and Boston. More than $400 million will go toward high-speed rail between Chicago and Detroit, and $300 toward the San Francisco and Los Angeles connection.
LaHood has also said the Obama administration will consider tightening rail security if the reports of a train terror plot are substantiated.
By Peter Greenberg Worldwide Staff.
Related links: NY Daily News, Reuters, Associated Press, Politico
Related links on PeterGreenberg.com:
- What Osama bin Laden’s Death Means For Travelers
- Florida’s High-Speed Rail Project Canceled By Republican Governor’s Opposition
- Analyzing Post-9/11 Travel Safety & Security: Airports, Trains, Hotels & Beyond
- Guns On Trains: Amtrak Allowing Unloaded Firearms In Baggage Cars
- Vice President “Amtrak Joe” Biden Unveils New $58 Billion High-Speed Rail Proposal
- When Amtrak Is The Better Travel Option
- Train Travel section
