TRANSIT SYSTEMS ARE STILL VULNERABLE

By D.E.Levine

Following an article in September where we announced monies being distributed to 15 transit systems across the nation, we looked at a GAO report that states that mass transit (rail, subway and bus) systems are harder to protect than airports.

The GAO report found that TSA can do more to share security technology information with others since coordination challenges persist.

Although TSA reported that selected 9/11 Act provisions were satisfied it missed critical deadlines and still lacks a plan with benchmarks necessary to fulfill the requirements.

Mass transit security is unique because it traverses a diversity of government and law enforcement agencies. These agencies range from city and state transit operations to interstate systems like Amtrak.

Most mass transit systems do not lend themselves to access controls similar to those used at airports.