Senate Committee introduces bus security legislation

Addressing the issue of bus security, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee introduced Monday the Over-the-Road Bus Security and Safety Act of 2003. Similar to H.R. 875, bus security legislation that was unanimously passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee earlier this year, S. 929 will help private bus operators make security improvements to their operations through grant monies that can be used for a variety of applications. Security improvements include protecting drivers, implementing passenger screening programs, constructing or modifying existing terminals, training employees in threat assessment, hiring security officers and installing video surveillance and communications equipment.