WASHINGTON, DC In an effort to improve transit security across the nation, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today spearheaded a letter with his colleagues to Homeland Security Appropriations conferees requesting that they include at least $200 million for rail and transit security grant programs in legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security.During debate on the bill earlier this year, Reed cosponsored an amendment to increase funding for transit security by $300,000,000. The amendment was defeated by a 50 to 50 vote. Reed stated, Transportation systems are among the most frequently attacked terrorist targets worldwide. It is essential that we provide Americas transit systems with the funding and resources needed to make them more secure for the 14 million Americans who use our transit systems every day."The House of Representatives provided $200,000,000 for transit security grant funding earlier this year while the Senate only provided $150,000,000 in its version of the bill. Americans should feel the same sense of security every time that they board a train, subway, or bus that they do when they board an aircraft. Yet, we continually underfund our public transit systems, Reed stated. Time and time again, we have attempted to provide real funding for transit, and time after time these attempts have been struck down by the Majority. We must end the rhetoric and begin to provide real federal aid to protect American passengers.Along with Senator Reed, the letter was signed by Senators Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and 19 others.Text of the letter follows:September 7, 2006The Honorable Judd Gregg, ChairmanThe Honorable Robert C. Byrd, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Homeland Security Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington, DC 20510Dear Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Byrd:As you work on the FY2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report, we urge you to provide at least $200 million for rail and transit security grants, the level passed by the House of Representatives. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) identified in excess of $6 billion in transit security investment needs in the United States. It is important that the federal government provide sufficient resources to ensure the security of American transit users. Public transportation is among the nations most critical infrastructure and is vital to our economy and quality of life. The tragic terrorist attacks on transit in Madrid two years ago, in London last summer, and in Mumbai, India this July highlight that public transit systems, which are designed for easy access and movement of large numbers of people, are by their very nature prime terrorist targets. The Government Accountability Office has found that obtaining sufficient funding is the most significant challenge in making transit systems as safe and secure as possible. However, from September 11, 2001 to May 31, 2005, the federal government invested less than a penny per person in transit security. The millions of Americans that commute to work and school using public transit deserve the federal governments investment in their safety. While we understand the budgetary constraints governing conference negotiations, we respectfully request that you fund the transit and passenger rail security grants in the final FY2007 Homeland Security Appropriations bill at minimum at the House-passed level of $200 million. Thank you for your consideration of this request.Sincerely,