Rail and Transit Stations to see increased security activities

This is a test, we repeat, it is merely a test. Rail passengers will likely see an increased presence of federal and local agencies in rail and transit stations during today’s morning and afternoon commutes. The TSA wishes to assure everyone that this pre-planned exercise is NOT in response to any particular threat or incident.

During today’s morning and evening commutes, Amtrak Police, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel, and law enforcement officers from federal, state, local, rail, and transit police agencies are being deployed at passenger rail and transit stations to exercise counterterrorism and incident response capabilities.

The multi-force security surge is NOT in response to any particular threat or incident. Rather, it is part of Operation RAIL SAFE (Regional Alliance Including Local, State and Federal Efforts), a coordinated effort involving activities such as heightened station patrols, increased security presence onboard trains, explosives detection canine sweeps, and random passenger bag inspections at unannounced locations. RAIL SAFE is part of a routine effort by partners across the nation in rail and transit to flexibly exercise resources and coordination.