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The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is commemorating California Rail Safety Month in September by reminding Metro transit riders that “Safety Begins with You.” Customers are urged to practice safe behaviors around Metro trains.
Metro’s top priority is ensuring the safety of customers and employees. Metro reminds all pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and commuters to follow these safety tips near train tracks and stations:
- Never walk on or around train tracks.
- Never go around lowered crossing gates.
- Stay behind the yellow line on platforms.
- Look and listen for trains in both directions.
- Never run to catch the train.
- Always obey all traffic signals.
“Safety is a year-round mission at Metro, and we are always seeking improvements to make the rail system as safe as possible,” said Metro Board Chair and Chair of Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Hilda L. Solis. “We also know how easy it is for people to get distracted and we’re using Rail Safety Month to remind everyone to look up, be aware, and alert.”
Metro has helped promote Rail Safety Month since 2002 as the local rail system expands. With rail transit absent from Southern California after the demise of the streetcars in 1963 until the A Line (Blue) opened in 1990, Metro wants to ensure all residents know how to safely interact with trains.
To help promote safety, Metro this year is debuting two new videos – “Look both ways” and “Always stay behind yellow line” – that focus on the do’s and don’ts of riding Metro and include a new catchy jingle “Safetyville The Song” to help show riders of the dangers of behaving recklessly around trains.
Although many safety features are included in Metro Rail projects, there are still collisions each year between people and Metro trains. Metro has installed more safety gates, red light enforcement cameras, digital signs and other safety design elements. We have worked with our community partners to promote safety, in particular with the youth who are the next generation of transit riders. But we cannot do it alone. In order to be successful at eliminating accidents, we need the help of our passengers and the public.
“This September gives us the perfect opportunity to publicly reaffirm that safety is and must always be our agency’s No. 1 priority. Our customers, employees and community members expect the highest safety standards, and I am focused on ensuring we deliver them on both our rail and bus system,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “As we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are going digital with our new Metro Safety Kids videos in English and Spanish to continue to raise awareness that true safety is a partnership and shared responsibility with the public to ensure that our growing transit system is safe for everyone.”
Metro’s Community Education & Mobility Programs Department provides numerous programs to schools, libraries, recreational centers and senior centers in Los Angeles County. Programs — including those on safety — include virtual educational workshops and virtual tour opportunities.
The new Metro safety videos and song will be promoted beginning in September on the following social media platforms: Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, Connected TV, Snapchat and YouTube. New safety posters will be placed on Metro Rail vehicles.
For more information on the Rail Safety Virtual Program, contact Community Relations Director Jennifer Mendoza Arndt at arndtj@metro.net or at 213.435.9229.
Editor’s Note: Metro Operators are crucial to keeping LA moving. Metro is currently hiring more than 500 bus operators and is offering a $1,000 bonus for coming aboard. This is a great career opportunity. Metro offers competitive hourly rates starting at $16.90 for part-time bus operators and benefits include health insurance, tuition reimbursements, paid training, retirement plan options and part-time flexible hours. Please encourage friends, family and community members to become a part of the Metro team that provides excellence in service and support and keeps our region moving. Apply at metro.net/driveLA.
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is currently providing lifeline service for essential trips and frontline workers. Metro continues building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan.
Metro has proudly pledged to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Health and Safety Commitment Program to help ensure the safe return of transit riders as the U.S. recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, twitter.com/metrolosangeles and twitter.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.
