.U.S.
Department of Homeland Security Announces Over $9.5
Million in Grants
to Secure Intercity Bus Programs
Press
Release from Homeland Security Website
The
U.S. Department of Homeland Security today announced
$9,657,138 in intercity bus security grants, reinforcing
the Administration’s commitment to protecting
our nation’s traveling public.
The
Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) enhances
security for the millions of passengers who travel
using our nation’s buses on a daily basis.
Today’s announcement places a strong emphasis
on providing resources that will help intercity
bus systems better prevent and detect possible explosive
devices, as well as chemical, biological, radiological
and nuclear agents. The program offers funding to
support passenger and baggage screening, enhance
bus facility security, improve systems to better
monitor, track and communicate with vehicles and,
conduct training and exercises. Grant recipients
will be selected on the basis of a competitive application
process.
“These
grants are instrumental to our mission of preventing
terrorism by securing our nation’s bus systems,”
said Matt A. Mayer, Acting Executive Director of
the Department of Homeland Security’s Office
of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness
(SLGCP).
DHS
designed this program in coordination with federal
partner agencies, including the Federal Highway
Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration,
as well as industry representatives, such as the
American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach
Association
DHS
awarded $10 million in 2004 and $5 million in 2003
to intercity bus systems. Attached is a list of
intercity bus service owners/operators eligible
for consideration of IBSGP funding.
(Attachment
A: Intercity Bus Service Owners/Operators Eligible
for Consideration of IBSGP Funding)
