Washington, DC – Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced that Amtrak is receiving a $7.1 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for security improvements to its passenger rail system. The funding is expected to be targeted for security enhancements in the Northeast Corridor. The grant will also help Amtrak conduct a risk assessment of its operations in the Northeast Corridor and at its hub in Chicago, Illinois.
“As the terrorist attacks in Madrid and London demonstrated, railroads and other commuter transportation systems are prominent targets. Since the Northeast Corridor is the most highly traveled passenger train route in the nation, it only makes sense that we direct resources to help make travel along this route safer, while still encouraging efficiency and public access to rail travel,” said Senator Collins. “Passenger trains have been a great boon for tourism and business in states up and down the Northeast Corridor and extending into Maine. I will continue to advocate for funding to support Amtrak operations and, as Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, for resources to help keep train travel safe.”
This grant is awarded under the Intercity Passenger Rail Security Program, which is administered by DHS. Senator Collins is the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over DHS.