Ground transportationTrain No-Ride list proposed to enhance train security
Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) proposes creating a train No-Ride list to bolster train security; the proposed new screening process would require passengers, who already have to give their name when purchasing tickets for the train, to show photo ID before boarding; the IDs would be compared to the name on their ticket and matched against a list of known or suspected terrorists; if there is a match, that passenger would be prevented from traveling; the proposal comes the same week the administration a announced a $2 billion 22 inter-city rail projects; the project includes $795 million to upgrade the railroad in the heavily used Northeast Corridor, increasing speeds to 160 mph from 135 mph in some stretches; $404 million to expand high-speed rail between Detroit and Chicago; and $300 million to advance a high-speed rail project between Los Angeles and San Francisco
Sen. Schumer (D-NY) proposes a rail no-ride list // Source: compostdiaries.com
Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) has his way, a train No Ride list will soon join DHS No-Fly list as an anti-terror tool. Schumer proposes a new screening process which would require passengers, who already have to give their name when purchasing tickets for the train, to show photo ID before boarding. The IDs would be compared to the name on their ticket and matched against a list of known or suspected terrorists.
If there is a match, that passenger would be prevented from traveling. “Anyone, even a member of Al Qaeda, could purchase a train trip ticket and board an Amtrak train without so much as a question from an official,” Schumer said.
Fox News reports that Schumer’s proposal coincides with, but is unrelated to, the announcement Tuesday morning by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood of the distribution of more than $2 billion in federal grant money for high-speed rail projects in fifteen states, including nearly $800 million to improve tracks, stations, and trains in the Northeast corridor.
The money was intended to help build high-speed trains in Florida, starting with a Tampa to Orlando line, but Florida Governor Rick Scott rejected the funds, saying taxpayers would be stuck footing the bill for cost overruns and that rider estimates were too ambitious.
In a press conference at Penn Station, LaHood said the money will result in much better service, including boosting current 125 mph top speeds to 160 mph along critical stretches, reducing power failures, upgrading tracks and stations, and eliminating bottlenecks.
The BBC reports that the twenty-two inter-city rail projects to be funded by the $2 billion include:
- $795 million to upgrade the railroad in the heavily used Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston, increasing speeds to 160 mph from 135 mph in some stretches
- $404 million to expand high-speed rail between Detroit and Chicago, saving passengers thirty minutes of travel time
- $300 million to advance a high-speed rail project between Los Angeles and San Francisco
Fox News notes that “many of the questions at the news conference were about security, not higher speeds. LaHood sought to reassure Americans travelers that train transportation are safe.”
