In the wake of the Madrid terror attacks that left over 200 people dead, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) is leading the charge into an inquiry about rail safety to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring in the United States.
Last week, Norton sent a letter to Homeland Security Committee Chairman Christopher Cox (R-Calif.) requesting a full committee hearing on the nation's rail and subway systems.
Doxie McCoy, communications director for Norton, said Norton was concerned about rail safety before the attacks, and they compelled her to take action.
In her letter to Cox, Norton said, "It seems clear that the many Americans who use rail travel would now expect and be grateful for major hearings on this subject."
The Sept. 11 attacks led Congress to increase airline security to $14.5 billion per year. Congress currently appropriates $248 million for rail security. Norton recognized the reasons behind the disparity but said change is needed.
"I believe we would agree now that it is time to begin to find ways to prevent a similar event affecting rail," she said in her letter to Cox.
Norton's letter detailed a meeting she had with the Amtrak security chief several months ago after which she was "astonished by their information concerning the almost total lack of transportation security, particularly at the nation's major train stations."
The District's Union Station is one of eight major train stations in the United States. With its high volume of pedestrian traffic, Union Station was cited by an Amtrak security and investment plan as being among the most vulnerable to attack.
Also, the transportation of hazardous material near the Capitol building has officials concerned. The D.C. City Council recently held a meeting to discuss the daily movement of hazardous substances by CSX Rail, only four blocks from the Capitol.
Dan Stessel, spokesman for Amtrak in the District, said Norton's proposal is one of several - including the full hearing currently being led to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).
Amtrak "stands ready to work with Congress to improve rail security," Stessel said.
Since the Madrid attacks, Stessel said Amtrak has bulked up security with increased Amtrak Police Department patrols and K9 units performing random screenings of passengers.
"Passengers will notice that presence," Stessel said.
Metro officials in the District share the same willingness to improve security for their passengers.
Ray Feldman, director of Media Relations for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, said, "We would be pleased to participate in any hearings concerning the safety of the nation's rail and subway systems that Congress deems necessary and appropriate."
He said Metro has already improved security since the Madrid bombings and would "welcome the opportunity to share what we have done with a national and international audience."
While Norton's letter has not been answered yet, she is adamant in her concern for rail safety, particularly here in the District.
"We must now begin to assess what can be done in both the short and long-run to prevent a Madrid-like tragedy here at home"
