Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Senators said America’s land and sea transportation systems are more vulnerable to terrorist attack than the nation’s skies, and expressed frustration Tuesday with the pace of efforts to improve security.
Adm. James Underwood, director of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Intelligence and Security Office, stressed that federal air, rail, port and highway officials, in coordination with private companies, have moved quickly to remove security threats since the Sept. 11 attacks.
He said individual rail companies have increased inspections at tunnels and bridges. Highway and motor carrier offices are heightening highway security, ensuring the safety of hazardous material transport and conducting background checks on drivers and shippers, Underwood said.
The Coast Guard has called up 2,700 reservists to monitor ships arriving at the nation’s seaports, he said, and steps are being taken to improve pipeline safety.
George Warrington, president and chief executive officer of Amtrak, said passengers must now present photo identification, and a computer program has been created to cross-check ticket purchases against FBI watch lists.
But senators said there was still little to prevent a terrorist from carrying a bomb on board a train or inserting explosives in the cargo of a ship. Sen. John Breaux, D-La., chairman of the surface transportation subcommittee, said only two percent of containers at the nation’s seaports are inspected.
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