[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24565]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         THE OVER-THE-ROAD BUS SECURITY AND SAFETY ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2001

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, today, the leadership of the Transportation 
and Infrastructure Committee has introduced the Over-the-Road Bus 
Security and Safety Act of 2001. This bipartisan legislation puts in 
place a bus security program to better protect the bus riding public.
  The latest figures from the American Bus Association demonstrate that 
the over-the-road bus industry, comprised of private bus and tour and 
travel operators, transports 774 million passengers annually. The 
industry's 800 bus operators and almost 200 tour operators, using 
40,000 motor coaches, transport more passengers than the airlines and 
Amtrak combined (650 million passengers). In addition, Greyhound Bus 
Lines and its interline partners take passengers to some 4,000 
destinations, more than 7 times the number served by air or Amtrak.
  Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Committee has 
reemphasized its examination of all modes of transportation security. 
As an important element of multi-modal transportation, the over-the-
road bus industry must increase its security measures. Unfortunately, 
recent terrorist acts on foreign buses and bus stations demonstrate the 
necessity for bus security. In fact, an analysis of worldwide terrorist 
activities from 1920-2000 shows that 49% of terrorist attacks involve a 
bus or a bus facility.
  While bus operators have made some security improvements, Congress 
must provide assistance to their ongoing efforts. Our legislation 
establishes a grant program that will be administered by the Secretary 
of Transportation. Eligible uses include expanding the passenger and 
baggage screening process, establishing electronic ticketing, hiring 
security officers and making physical security improvements to bus 
stations. This program is authorized at $200 million in the first 
fiscal year. After an appropriation is made, a twenty-five cent per 
ticket fee will be taken on tickets over five dollars. This fee will be 
used to fund the bus safety program in the following fiscal years.
  This is an affordable bill that brings the priceless bargain of 
security to the bus riding public. I hope that my colleagues support 
this bipartisan effort to better protect the bus riding public.

                          ____________________