Swalwell Amendment Passes to Protect Mass Transit Systems from Terrorism

WASHINGTON, DC – An amendment introduced by U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell's (CA-15) to protect mass transit systems like BART from terrorist attacks passed the House of Representatives by voice vote yesterday. The amendment requires that $97.5 million in H.R. 2217, the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, be allocated for mass transit security programs. Without Rep. Swalwell's amendment, transit systems would not have a guarantee of funding to help them protect against terrorists.

"No American should fear riding the rails or boarding the busses in their community. I am proud my amendment will guarantee funding to help protect our country's mass transit systems, like Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), from terrorism," said Rep. Swalwell. "The attacks in Boston were a devastating reminder that our homeland remains vulnerable to terrorists. My amendment makes clear that we value transit security and protecting the millions of Americans who rely on public transit each day."

"With respect to transit security in the Bay Area, BART is trying to take advantage of the latest advances in technology to work smarter and not harder to make the system safer for our 400,000 daily riders," said BART Police Chief Kenton W. Rainey. "BART's broad security needs remain in the range of $200 million, so assuring a greater amount for transit security funding can assist in our efforts to be vigilant."

"APTA applauds Congressman Swalwell for the passage of his amendment that would ensure at least $97.5 million for public transportation security grants in FY2014, that will address much needed capital transit security improvements," said Michael Melaniphy, American Public Transportation Association President and CEO. "In 2012, more than 10.5 billion trips were taken on public transportation. Congressman Swalwell's amendment moves our country forward in our continuous efforts to keep our transit systems—and the millions of the Americans who ride them-- safe and secure."

Rep. Swalwell's amendment will make funding available to the Department of Homeland Security's Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP). In April, Rep. Swalwell led a letter, signed by 39 other Members of Congress, asking for robust funding for TSGP to meet our mass transit security needs. TSGP 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.

Click hereto watch video of Rep. Swalwell urging the House of Representatives to pass his transit security amendment.