Security On the Rails

The bus and rail transit lines that we ride every day could be at risk for a terrorist attack. The Department of Homeland Security says in a new report that there are too few inspectors to secure our transit systems.

Q: How many inspectors are available to review safety of rail and other transit operations?

A: The Transportation Security Administration has about 175 inspectors to assess transportation security for bus and mass transit systems. The inspectors evaluate security risks and give advice to mass transit and freight rail operators. The Inspector General at Homeland Security just released a report last Friday that says the 175 that are in place are not enough even with the proposed additional hiring of an additional 102 inspectors in the future.

Q: Mass transit is vulnerable and has been attacked before in other countries, so why so few inspectors here?

A: After the September 11th attacks, the TSA focused more on aviation security than on rail and transit. Even though there have been attacks on busses and the metro systems in London in July 2005 and in Spain right before their elections in March, 2004. The Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napalatano has ordered a review of the department to make sure that resources are spread evenly. But to give you an idea of the differences between the numbers of inspectors: while there are only 175 inspectors for mass transit, there are 1,000 inspectors for Maritime Security at Coast Guard and 1,350 for the Transportation Department.

Q: Does Homeland Security specifically ask for more inspectors in their budget in 2010?

A: They have asked for an increased budget, but not specifically for inspectors, but it does highlight transportation security funding as a priority. It will be up to the Secretary to redirect resources to rail and transit inspectors if she sees fit. The 2010 proposal for Homeland Security is $42.7 billion, that would be a 1.2 percent increase over this year, 2009.

Additional Resources

FederalNewsRadio - Obama 2010 budget highlights by agency

DHS - Effectiveness of TSA's Surface Transportation Security Inspector (pdf report)

Washington Post - Report: More agents needed to secure mass transit

Jane Norris is a former fed and current host of the Federal Drive. You can reach her at jnorris@federalnewsradio.com

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