Rail Transit Security and Safety Act of 2005

The Rail Transit Security and Safety Act of 2005 (H.R. 1109) was designed to strengthen the security of the nation’s freight and passenger rail systems against terrorist threats. The bill would have required the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive vulnerability assessment of the rail network and established a Federal Rail Security Manager to coordinate emergency responses with local law enforcement.

For the average citizen, this legislation aimed to increase safety during daily commutes and long-distance travel by funding infrastructure upgrades—such as fire safety improvements in tunnels—and providing grants to local transit agencies for security enhancements. Additionally, the bill sought to protect rail employees from retaliation if they reported security lapses or safety violations. Although the bill was introduced and referred to a subcommittee, it did not advance further to become law.