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Last week, the Senate voted against a measure to increase transit security funding.

Sens. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) had proposed an amendment to increase transit security funding from $100 million to $1.16 billion in fiscal-year 2006. Fifty-three senators voted in favor of the measure, but the amendment needed 60 votes to pass.

"Protecting transit riders is a national security issue and national security is the responsibility of the federal government," said American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President William Millar in a prepared statement, expressing disappointment over the Senate’s vote.

Transit agencies need funds to purchase security cameras and intruder detection devices, upgrade radio communication systems, pay for training programs and cover overtime costs when the security alert level is raised, according to APTA.