Even before the Madrid train bombings of March 11, it was clear terrorist attacks on public transit systems in the U.S. could happen. After Madrid, the possibilities grew greater. Last week, in my regular guest op-ed column in The Seattle Times, I talked about the potential vulnerability of Seattle's 14-mile elevated commuter monorail to terrorism.

It's scheduled for completion in 2007. But because the monorail is collecting 30 percent less money than projected - from a local vehicle license excise tax - I suggested the monorail board seek voter approval of car rental tax of up to almost 2 percent. That's allowed under state law, and would provide extra funds for security police, explosives detection teams, and the like.

I bring all this up again right now, because just this morning comes more news emphasizing the vulnerability of commuter transit to terorrism.

One is the discovery of explosives on a major inter-urban high-speed rail line in Spain. Early indications are that it's the same type of stuff al-Qaeda-linked terrorists used to kill 190 in Madrid on 3/11. If today's plant is the work of Islamists, that won't say much for Spanish voters, who elected a naive, appeasing socialist regime days after 3/11, in hopes of calming the terrorist threat in Spain.

The second story strikes closer to home. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are warning police of possible terrorist attacks on U.S. urban transit sytems, including buses and railways.

'We assess that buses and railways could be targeted,' said the message from the FBI Counterterrorism Division in Washington.

'The plot calls for the use of improvised explosive devices possibly constructed of ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel concealed in luggage and carry-on bags to include duffel bags and backpacks,' the message said.

The 'law enforcement sensitive' message obtained by CNN and some other news outlets was sent to all federal, state and local police agencies through the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, and was not designed as a public announcement.

'Al Qaeda and other groups have demonstrated the intent and capability to attack public transportation with conventional explosives, vehicle-prone bombs and suicide bombers,' the message said.

The message reminded police that in addition to the recent Spain railway bombing, that bus bombings have been carried out in Greece, Israel and Turkey.

The message noted as well that this week in London, authorities seized a thousand pounds of ammonium nitrate and that eight British citizens of Pakistani origin were arrested on suspicion of being involved in terrorism.

I argued in my column (above) that the monorail Green Line will be especially iconic for Seattle, and a rich potential target. I stand by that, and urge the Seattle Monorail Project board to seriously consider putting the car rental tax to a public vote. The extra money will be needed for top-flight security.

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at April 2, 2004 10:57 AM

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» Transit could be terrorist target in Seattle from The Smoking Room
My fellow blogger and Seattle Times guest columnist Matt Rosenberg is proposing a car rental tax of up to two percent, which is allowed under state law, to "provide extra... [Read More]

Tracked on April 2, 2004 12:13 PM

» Rosenblog talks about Transit Anti-Terror from Left Coast Conservative
He writes a regular guest op-ed column in The Seattle Times. ( I did not know that.) Any hoot here is a taste. Even before the Madrid train bombings of March 11, it was clear terrorist attacks on public transit... [Read More]

Tracked on April 3, 2004 06:03 AM

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