Sen. Schumer: Create 'Do Not Ride' list for railways

Sen. Charles Schumer is calling for a "Do Not Ride" list for Amtrak following reports that terrorist Osama bin Laden was plotting attacks on U.S. railways before his death.

The list would be similar to the "Do Not Fly" registry that is checked before passengers board flights at airports. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that it's a lot easier for would-be terrorists to get on trains that it has been for them to board airplanes.

“Anyone, even a member of al Qaeda, could purchase a train ticket and board an Amtrak train without so much as a question asked,” Schumer said in a weekend interview with WCBS radio in New York.

“So that’s why I’m calling for the creation of an Amtrak 'No Ride' list," he continued. "That would take the secure flight program and apply it to Amtrak trains.”

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Monday said he would consider Schumer's proposal, but stressed that the railways are safe.

“We’ll work with Congress on this,” LaHood said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." “I’d say this morning, we need to look at the information carefully and see if there are any threats. For now, riding trains is safe.”