U.S. Terrorism Alert Level Lowered For Transit

August 15, 2005

U.S. Terrorism Alert Level Lowered For Transit
August 15, 2005 – The threat level for mass transit and ferry systems has been lowered, after remaining on high alert for 36 days after the train and bus bombings in London prompted fears of a copycat attack in the United States.

According to the Washington Post, Friday evening state and local operators of bus, train, subway and passenger boat systems were permitted to relax security measures. Transit officials in Washington, D.C., and New York said they will maintain some precautions, such as random bomb sweeps and police patrols.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in a written statement, "there is no specific, credible intelligence information indicating that an attack in the United States is imminent."

Chertoff added that transit systems, especially larger ones, "will maintain a strengthened baseline level of preparedness beyond what existed before."

The District, U.S. Capitol and U.S. Park Police departments also will continue increased patrols of critical facilities, stations, buses and bridges. Additionally, New York authorities plan to continue random searches of commuters on the city’s subway system.