Ridge announces train security plans

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Calling the March 11 Madrid bombings "a solemn reminder that terrorists continue to exploit our vulnerabilities," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced a series of initiatives to improve train and subway security Monday.

"While there are no indications that terrorists are planning similar attacks in the United States in the near term, we have asked train and rail operators in the country to be on a heightened state of alert," Ridge told reporters.

Calling U.S. transit systems "among the safest in the world," Ridge said security had already been beefed up on the nation's trains since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at a cost of some $1.7 billion in government and commuter dollars.

DHS will develop a rapid deployment mass transit canine program trained to search for explosives in rail tunnels, and will implement this spring a pilot program to test the feasibility of screening luggage and carry-on bags, he said.

Ridge said the new initiatives would not require new funding. "We think, based on the initiatives that we've announced today, that we can absorb that cost."

The department will also work with rail and transit leaders to encourage passengers to report suspicious activity in trains and stations, and will research new technology to detect and intercept attackers before they reach their intended targets, he said.

Ridge said that the new train security measures would build on the work of the Transportation Security Agency in screening airline passengers, but that the standards applied at airports are impractical to apply to train passengers.

"Clearly, we could provide enough security to put the mass transit systems out of business," Ridge said. "Trying to find that balance is something we need to do."

In addition to passenger trains, Ridge said in response to a reporter's question that freight trains carrying hazardous materials are "at the very heart of the discussion."

"We realize that's a vulnerability that could be exploited with potentially catastrophic consequences," Ridge said.

here it comes eh

what are they going to do? they can't restrict passengers from bringing on carry on's. half the riders using these systems are going to work or traveling with lugguge of some sort.they are idiots who do not realize how vulnerable anything really is. it only takes one dipshit to walk onto a train, while it is running, to blow shit up. there's really no way to protect it, unless they start doing airport security type checks... and that would just tie up the systems big time.

doesnt matter to me ...............who takes trains in the us?whats it matter to me

Originally posted by MANIK DEK

doesnt matter to me ...............who takes trains in the us?whats it matter to me

move out of hick fucking arizona and you'll see a couple millin people a day in nyc or other major cities riding trains.....

sheesh

anything can happen at any time, forget about security, its not stopping anyone or anything...