Amtrak to increase security

by ryan | February 19, 2008 at 02:35 am | 477 views | 4 comments

It's surprising to think how long it has taken for the trains to get their act together. Let's hope that these security protocols will be executed in more efficient manner which actual protects as apposed to hassles.

Amtrak passengers will be subjected to random screening of their carry-on bags as part of a new security initiative that will include armed officers and bomb-sniffing dogs patrolling platforms and trains, an Amtrak spokeswoman said Monday.

Amtrak passengers board their trains November 21 at South Station in Boston, Massachusetts.

Details of the new effort, which were first reported by The Associated Press, will be announced Tuesday, the spokeswoman, Tracey Connell, said.

Unlike airlines, Amtrak has had few visible changes to security since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but in recent years trains have been the targets of terrorism.

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surly panda

at 19:36 on February 20th, 2008

As someone who frequently takes Amtrak trains to destinations throughout the country, I'm kind of amazed that it has taken this long to implement increased security measures. Not once in the past two years have I even been asked for identification while on the train. Although part of Amtrak's appeal is the fact that there are relatively minor inconveniences, it seems a bit odd that they did not take steps to noticeably increase their security in response to any number of events that emphasized the importance of transportation safety. Hopefully they don't go overboard and deter customers. The lack of hassle is definitely one of the reason that I try to take a train wherever I'm headed.

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a_man_called_larry

at 14:10 on February 19th, 2008

I take pictures of trains as a hobby and I think railroads should consider using railfans to their benefits to look for anything suspicious. I enjoy this hobby alot so it wouldn't be a problem for me.

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HOOAH

at 17:46 on February 19th, 2008

I think it is good that Amtrak is doing these security measures. Security on Amtrak trains I think was a little lax in the past years. The only think we can do now is watch and see how it goes.

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