Metro sends letters to Bush administration, Congress seeking $190 Million for additional security enhancements

Funding request includes $81 Million to expand chemical/biological sensor detection program

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) officials said today that they have sent letters to the Bush Administration and the regional Congressional delegation, seeking $190 million to fund additional security enhancements as well as the expansion of an existing chemical-biological sensor detection program.

Letters requesting $190 million in detection and protection equipment, along with additional security enhancements, were sent on Friday, October 12, to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. and Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. Copies were forwarded to the members of the region's Congressional delegation.

Separate letters were sent Friday to Attorney General John Ashcroft, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, Transportation Secretary Mineta, and OMB Director Daniels, seeking $81 million (included as part of the $190 million request) to expand a Program for Response Options and Technology Enhancements for Chemical and Biological Terrorism (PROTECT). That program is the result of a joint partnership formed in 1999 between Metro and the U.S. departments of Justice, Energy, and Transportation.

"Although Metro is considered one of the safest transit operations in the country, these funds will enhance our ability to protect the National Capitol Region's travelers from harm," said Metro General Manager Richard A. White.