"Should Public Transit Have Airport-Like Security?"

Thursday, July 7, 2005

Should Public Transit Have Airport-Like Security?
By Simon Perez
KPIX-TV Ch 5 (CBS), San Francisco (CA)


What can really be done to stop a terrorist from getting on a train or a bus
with a bomb?

Caltrain teamed up with law enforcement from San Clara, San Francisco, and
San Mateo counties Thursday to keep a closer eye on the system after the
terror attacks in London. The extra security included bomb-sniffing dogs.
Additional police officers patrolled the Muni transit system in San
Francisco.

"I can't run around being afraid," said Caltrain rider Fred Gibson. "I've
got to go on with life."

Transit riders can board a bus or train without a security search. Muni,
Caltrain, and the Valley Transit Authority all agree it's just not feasible
to set up an airport-like security system for public transit, because people
aren't willing to wait two hours to get on their way.

Muni rider Jia Lin agreed.

"That's too much work," she said. "That's impossible."

Instead, the transit agencies say the best weapon against terror is having
the public look out for anything suspicious.


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