Federal Security to Ride Metra Trains

Riders will soon see federal security teams patrolling commuter trains in the Chicago area.

Metra announced the federal Transportation Security Administration security plan Monday, saying it is not in response to a specific threat, but part of a strategy to provide a safe environment for riders.

Metra said teams will work in partnership with local security and law enforcement officials.

The TSA patrols will "augment existing security resources, provide deterrent presence and detection capabilities, and introduce an element of unpredictability to disrupt potential terrorist planning activities," Metra said in a statement.

The patrol teams can consist of federal marshals, TSA officers, TSA-certified canine teams, surface transportation security inspectors and local/state law enforcement.

They will work with Metra police and the police departments of the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Sante Fe railroads.

The security agents will wear identifiable duty uniforms on their patrols.