It’s still a one house bill, but Sen. Hillary Clinton spelled out what some of the $3.5 billion set aside for transit security would go to if the bill is passed (unlikely) in present form. So far the House bill has nothing for transit security (it is a port security bill afterall).
New York would get $470 million between 2007 and 2010. The money would go ventilation, electrical, and fire safety technology upgrades, emergency communication and lighting systems, and emergency access and egress for passengers.
Clinton specifically spelled out:
Upgrade the two tunnels under the Hudson River used by NJ Transit and Amtrak and the four tunnels under the East River used by the MTA and Amtrak.Upgrade “New York’s safety systems and communication technology.” Maybe first responder radios will finally work everywhere in the system.
Require the Dept. of Homeland Security to study transit communications and hire more personnel.
Require the Federal Railroad Administration to study border security with Canada. I guess it would be easy for terrorists to just take the Amtrak from Toronto to New York.
Photo via Newsday
-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com
