In a blow to transit advocates, the Senate has turned back proposals to increase fiscal 2006 funding to bolster security on the nation's mass transportation systems.
After the July 7 terrorist bombings on London's rail and bus network, transit proponents hoped Congress would increase federal security aid for subways and buses. But three Senate floor amendments to add money for transit to a pending 2006 Dept. of Homeland Security appropriations measure failed. The overall spending measure, which the Senate passed July 14 on a 96-1 vote, has $100 million for rail and transit security grants, down $50 million from 2005.