Secure Full FY2009 Funding for the Transit Security
Grant Program
The “Improving America’s Security Act of 2007,” (P.L. 110-28) implemented many recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, including the strengthening of security in public transit systems.
This landmark legislation authorized $3.4 billion for federal public transportation grants between Fiscal Years 2008 through 2011. These funds may be used for a variety of purposes including the acquisition of perimeter security, access control, fencing, surveillance systems, and fire suppression equipment.
The Transit Security Grant Program, administered by the Transportation Security Administration within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), provides grant funding for five different sub-programs addressing: Freight Rail Security, Intercity Bus Security, Transit Security, Trucking Security and Ferry Security.
From FY2003 to FY2007, DHS issued approximately $570 million in Transit Security Grant funds. In FY2008, the program received $388 million in funding, much less than the $650 million level authorized under law. In FY2009, the program is authorized at $750 million.
This year, DHS issued FY2008 grant guidance imposing a 25% match requirement on the purchase of equipment and a 1/3 match requirement on operational costs for all grantees. It is expected that DHS will raise the match requirement for operational costs to 50% in FY2009.
This match was not included in the legislation passed by Congress. In contrast to the law, DHS also mandated that grant funds be applied for and distributed by state administrative agencies rather than directly to and through public transit systems. This intermediate step creates an additional hurdle for transit agencies needing these critical security funds.
For these reasons, the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee added a provision to the FY2009 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, removing the match requirement and mandating that funds are distributed directly to public transit systems. The Senate Appropriations bill also includes similar language regarding the match requirement and the Omnibus Appropriations bill rectified the grant distribution issue. The bill also extended $400 million in funding to the Transit Security Grant Program for FY2009.
In addition to the funding authorized by the “Improving America’s Security Act of 2007,” the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1401, the “Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007.” Introduced by Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Pete King (R-NY), this legislation provides a strategy for addressing the security needs of rail and transit systems. The bill is currently being considered by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) noted upon passage of H.R. 1401, “Investments to enhance the security of our nation’s surface transportation systems have not kept pace with the needs. Last year, the Federal Government invested $4.7 billion in aviation security improvements, while spending only $136 million on transit and rail security, even though five times as many people take trains as planes every day. Passage of a robust rail and public transportation security bill by the House of Representatives is long overdue.
