Rep. Swalwell Announces $12.8 Million in Federal Funding for BART Security Upgrades

PLEASANTON, CA – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) today announced that the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) System was awarded a FEMA transportation security grant of $12.8 million for FY2013 to secure its Transbay Tube which connects San Francisco and the East Bay and protect the system in case of a terrorist attack. Rep. Swalwell, a member of the Homeland Security Committee which has jurisdiction over FEMA funding, recently toured the Transbay Tube and led a letter signed by Bay Area Members to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urging support for BART's request for transit security funding.

"Protecting our BART system means protecting its approximately 400,000 daily riders from a terrorist attack. As we saw in Boston, disaster can strike at any moment and we have to be prepared and vigilant," said Rep. Swalwell. "I am proud to have led a letter to DHS urging that BART receive the resources it needs to keep its passengers and infrastructure safe. The FEMA funding awarded today will go a long way to securing the Transbay Tube and ensuring the safety of mass transit in the Bay Area."

"Congressman Swalwell played a key role in securing these funds which are critical in helping BART pay for needed enhancements to our existing robust security system," said BART Police Chief Kenton Rainey. "The funds will be combined with state and local money to protect the Transbay Tube and the 195,000 riders who travel through it daily."

This funding is through the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) which provides funds to owners and operators of transit systems to secure infrastructure and otherwise protect against terrorist attacks. Examples of possible uses for TSGP awards include surveillance training, public awareness campaigns, detection equipment, security cameras and the hardening of infrastructure. For FY2013, TSGP is providing $83,716,813 to the Nation's High-Threat Urban Areas.

Rep. Swalwell has worked to ensure significant transit security funding continues for FY2014. He coordinated a letter to House Appropriators requesting robust funding for TSGP and sponsored an amendment to allocate at least $97.5 million for the program in the bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security.

The amendment passed.