Amtrak To Deploy Airport-Like Security - It's about time!!!

Sometimes when I'm traveling in the Northeast I will jump on Amtrak and go for spin somewhere instead of renting a car or flying there. It's pretty fun for a Nashville guy who doesn't ride trains a whole lot.

I'm glad to see this article though because the first time I boarded a train in NYC I was amazed at how soft security was around the terminal as you boarded the train. Check out the article below.

Amtrak To Deploy Airport-Like Security

FEBRUARY 19, 2008 --

Passengers on Amtrak will now face security similar to that encountered at airports, the rail line announced today. Amtrak's new Mobile Security Team will begin randomly searching passengers' bags and deploy armed Amtrak police, armed counter-terrorism special agents and bomb-sniffing dogs on trains and platforms. The screening and patrols will vary times and stations, and Amtrak officials said it would not affect train schedules.

"The screening and mobile units were developed as part of Amtrak's working hand-in-hand with domestic and international counter-terrorism agencies and experts to continually fortify Amtrak's safety and security practices," Amtrak vice president of security strategy and special operations William Rooney said in a prepared statement. "Random inspections and armed special agent patrols are a prudent and necessary security enhancement."

The announcement wasn't made in response to a specific terrorism threat, although terrorists have targeted commuter trains in London, Madrid, and Tokyo in the past.

Passengers are allowed to refuse inspections, but will be denied boarding and will be offered a ticket refund.

Amtrak carries about 25 million passengers annually on its rail network, an average of 67,000 per day.

HT:BTONLINE