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Yesterday, three representatives introduced legislation aimed at improving public transportation security.

Introduced by Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), the Secure Transit and Railroads across America and Investment in National Security Act of 2005 (Secure TRAINS Act) would create dedicated funding for rail and transit security, and require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit to Congress a national transportation security plan for the country’s transportation systems.

After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Congress asked DHS to complete a transportation security plan by 2003’s end. Although the deadline was extended to April 2005, the report still is pending.

The bill also will provide whistleblower protection for transit employees who identify transit security problems.

"The deadly bombings on commuter trains in London last week and Madrid last year should be a wake-up call for this country," said Thompson in a prepared statement. "If the Administration does not move faster, I fear our nation will face the nightmare victims in those cities have experienced."