Transportation is presented as one of the most important tools for the effective work of all spheres of society. However, it becomes especially important in cases of endangered moments that endanger the lives of people and the well-being of the country. With the help of transport, not only the necessary products are transported, but people are also evacuated. Thus, special attention should be paid to how transportation relates to security aspects in such cases, including the general procedure and certain documents necessary for crossing the borders of different countries.
7/7 London Bombings
For this purpose, the analysis of the role of public transport in the events taking place in London in 2005 was chosen. On July 7, 2005, explosive devices went off in the cars of three trains on the Lonon Metro between Aldgate, King’s Cross and Russell Square stations and the Tavistock Square (“7/7 London bombings”, n.d.). More that fifty people were killed, including four terrorists, and more than seven hundred people were injured (Haji et al., 2021). Manelici (2017) pointed out that “these attacks brought major transit stations into the spotlight as high-risk locations” (p. 52). As a result of this terrorist act, the work of public transport was suspended for almost a whole day.
The Role of Transportation
Transport, as a generally accepted and widespread indicator of globalization and technological progress, is presented to terrorist groups as an instrument of liberation. Due to the ease and accessibility of information technologies, people with extremist views have an opportunity to acquire and produce any type of weapons, as well as use the latest scientific achievements to fulfill their plans. Nasution (2017) states that “terrorism has a direct impact on human rights, with devastating consequences for the enjoyment of the right to life, liberty and physical integrity of victims” (p. 350). The emergence of terrorist acts that use public transport as a central place of action leads to a large number of victims among the defenseless population (Shvetsov et al., 2017; Shvetsov & Shvetsova, 2017). Moreover, it creates violation in the generally accepted and stable order of public life. Furthermore, it also generates a sense of uncertainty among citizens that the state can provide them with security, which is exactly the main goal of terrorists.
Security of Passengers and Cargo
Ensuring the safety of both passengers and cargo involves the introduction of additional effective measures against such emergencies as terrorist attacks. Hedel et al. (2018) underline that “effective and sufficient measures to protect transport infrastructures are essential” (p. 311). That is why intercity transport has such a growing popularity among the population. Measures to optimize security will help reduce the likelihood of harmful consequences (Sultonovich, 2021). This also will ensure the preservation of the health of citizens and reduce the risk of fatal consequences.
There are several factors that have a direct impact on ensuring safety in intra-city public transport:
- Management decision-making by federal state authorities that control the transportation system for further ensuring security in this system. This may be the provision of transport infrastructure tools for conducting video surveillance and recording unusual cases (Barmpounakis & Geroliminis, 2020). Furthermore, providing equipment for metro stations with means of detecting possible explosives.
- The activities of operational units of law enforcement agencies for the possession of a date for the prevention of terrorist acts.
- A thorough and extensive investigation of the terrorist acts committed on urban passenger transport with the involvement of qualified specialists.
- High-quality professional training of authorized persons of the transport system security service.
- Сreation or improvement of the relevant legislative framework on safety on public transport.
According to the information of Visa to Pass through the UK in Transit, when moving across the border, all passengers must get off the bus. They must have a passport with them so that employees can check them. This way, specialists can make sure that individuals are ready to cross the border. In addition, people may need a visa for transit through the UK if they are traveling to another country. To obtain this document, people must prove that:
- They have enough money with them to visit another country;
- The main purpose of the visit to the UK is transit travel (“Visa to Pass through the UK in Transit”, n.d.).
However, this confirmation is not required if people have a residence permit in the European Union. In addition, if there is a travel document of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for example, proof that the person is a refugee or a stateless person (Dirgahayu et al., 2021). This complicates the process of regulating people entering and passing through the country due to the fact that terrorists are not always citizens who come from other states.
The most important requirement is to maintain the high viability and stability of the main communication routes and the continuity of passenger and transport transportation. To do this, it is necessary to carry out a large number of events of an engineering, construction, organizational, and technical nature (Wang et al., 2019). In addition, reliable protection of public transport facilities must be organized, as well as the civil defense system and the work of government bodies. Thus, the development of these abilities is one of the main requirements for modern public transport.
All firms and organizations that are engaged in the provision of transport services must comply with the regulated standards established by law:
- Presence of licenses for this type of activity;
- Compliance with the established schedule, which is approved by the organs of the executive power;
- Compliance with the requirements for public intra-city transport;
- Compliance with the rules in relation to the transportation of luggage, hand luggage;
- Knowledge and following of the requirements presented to carriers and passengers;
- Provision of special attention and specialized services to citizens belonging to preferential categories.
Due to the fact that safety is presented as the main aspect and condition for the transportation of people and cargo, they must be carried out by professional drivers. Moreover, the main actions and efforts to ensure intra-city transport security should be primarily aimed at educating the population on this topic (Jasiński, 2018). In addition, it is important to pay attention to solving crisis and conflict situations by political methods, without force. The actions of some leaders can become a provoking factor for the emergence of terrorism and extremist organizations with a radical attitude to modern events.
Strategic actions to stop extremist activities and preserve the health of the population will affect the emergence of positive changes. They may include the anti-terrorist stability of intra-city public transport and the successful activity of specialized units of law enforcement agencies and services in obtaining the necessary date (Gruenewald et al., 2019). It is of particular importance for preventing and getting rid of the occurrence of harmful actions of terrorists of various organizations (Townshend, 2018). Therefore, government must promote and increase the degree of joint work of various law enforcement agencies related to information and analytical support of anti-terrorist activities. An effective fight against extremism is possible only with the involvement of specialists from various spheres of society, as well as with the use of joint efforts of the international community. The development and regulation of special documentation and the control of passenger and cargo transportation occupies one of the leading places in the prevention and control of this problem.
References
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