In response to the March 11 train bombings in Madrid, the U.S. Government has broadened its focus of increased security from aviation to all aspects of public transportation, including buses, trains, subways, etc. According to Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, while no threats of similar attacks have been made in the United States, emphasis has been placed on the need to raise awareness and increase security.
"We have asked transit and rail operators around the country to be on a heightened state of alert," Ridge said during a March 22 press conference.
The conference detailed a pilot program soon to hit designated metropolitan transit systems. The program will include rapid-deployment mass-transit K-9 units trained to assist in special explosive threat situations and will look into the feasibility of checking luggage and carry-on bags at all rail and train stations.
According to Ridge, Washington, D.C. is one of the possible cities.
Washington, D.C. metro and railway systems are used by both businessmen and tourists, and the security of those systems is something D.C. area officials have been working to uphold since the events of Sept. 11.
"The events of 9/11 and 3/11 have heightened the awareness of everyone here," said Steven Taub, spokesperson for the D.C. Transit Authority.
Taub said that 650,000-670,000 riders use the Metro system on a given day, and with the arrival of spring (including the Cherry Blossom Festival), an influx of riders is expected, with many first-time users. Along with increased security, D.C. also is pushing for a more active role from the commuters.
"We want our customers to pay attention; to be our partners in protection," Taub said.
The Transit Authority in D.C. began a program last Friday titled "Excuse me, is that your bag?" aimed at helping commuters to be aware of unattended or suspicious packages. The Metro and railway systems also have increased the number of police officers on duty during rush hours and sweeps done by officers from rail car to rail car and train to train.
According to Douglas Stalworth, Senior Transportation Planner for the District Department of Transportation in D.C., one of the biggest problems is communication. During a high-traffic time at one of the metro stations last week, the system went down due to a small fire in the cables. Increased smoke caused an initial 15-minute delay to escalate, worrying the commuters and causing some to question whether or not a situation like that in Madrid was taking place.
"They weren't informed as to what was going on," Stalworth said. "They had the mindset of "We're in the dark, and we just think the worst is happening.'"
Taub said that the Transit Authority is working to increase correspondence between riders and officials, but overall, he said, commuters have not expressed concern regarding the events of March 11 and the possibility of similar attacks in D.C. and the United States.
Victoria Isley, spokesperson for the Convention and Tourism Corporation in D.C., has seen a similar lack of response.
"We've not seen any change in relation to the visitors," Isley said.
While the train bombing in Madrid has not sparked similar threats or concern in the U.S., Taub feels the recent pilot program outlined by Secretary Ridge is an important first step in targeting increased security in all areas of transportation.
"Mass transit is just as important as the airline industry," he said. "The events of Madrid have brought it home to everyone's attention."
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