The Metrolink board today approved preliminary budget actions including a potential 6-percent system-wide fare increase, a number of changes to fare policy and discounts, and service reductions to transmit the preliminary FY-11 budget to the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) member agencies on May 1, 2010.
At today’s meeting, board members decided to reduce the number of trains suggested for elimination from 12 to four, leaving only the San Bernardino Line midday trains 306 and 323 and Ventura County Line trains 105 and 114 set for possible elimination.
Motions were made and approved by Metrolink Board members representing LA Metro, the Orange County Transportation Authority and the Riverside County Transportation Commission to continue to fund the Inland Empire – Orange County Line and Ventura County Line trains and two trains to Burbank/Bob Hope Airport. The commitment to provide the additional funding is subject to approval by each one of those agencies’ governing Boards.
Metrolink’s Board is scheduled to consider final approval of the agency’s budget in June 2010. Changes in fares and service would take place at the start of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2010.
Friday, April 23, 2010
METROLINK ANNOUNCES UNDERSTANDING WITH AMTRAK ON USE OF PERSONALITY TESTING IN HIRING
Clarification in procedures reflects shared goals in Safety and Quality with Labor Unions
LOS ANGELES, April 21, 2010: Metrolink announced today an understanding with Amtrak regarding the use of personality assessments to determine qualifications for hiring employees to operate Metrolink trains when Amtrak assumes responsibility for operating Metrolink trains on June 26, 2010.
This clarification in procedure of how to apply the hiring qualifications, currently in use by Amtrak for all new employees, is based on provisions of the March 24, 2010 agreement between Amtrak and Metrolink and reflects a workable approach to addressing objections raised by railroad union leadership to the use of personality assessments for evaluating previously qualified workers.
“It is our shared goal, as partners in safety and service with Amtrak and the labor unions, to make certain that we have the most qualified pool of employees safely operating our trains,” said John E. Fenton, Metrolink Chief Executive Officer. “This understanding demonstrates our firm commitment to work collaboratively with the railroad labor leaders in recognition of their efforts to ensure that Amtrak will provide safe and quality service in operating our trains.”
The hiring procedure that will apply to all Connex employees who are transitioning to Amtrak employment will involve those employees taking personality tests. However, the results of these tests will not be an automatic disqualifier for operating Metrolink trains. Both Metrolink and Amtrak concur that these particular tests are not definitive indicators of an individual’s ability to safely operate trains on our system.
“We are committed to working with our contractors, labor leaders, freight partners and employees to ensure a safer environment not only for the passengers and communities we serve, but for all who provide Metrolink train service every day,” added Fenton.
The clarification in procedure also paves the way for Amtrak’s use of personality assessments as one of several tools available to evaluate the qualifications of a Connex employee for Amtrak employment. Personality assessment tools will instead be used to provide information for those who may benefit from additional training or development with respect to particular skills.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Camarillo Metrolink Station Getting New Surveillance System
The Camarillo Police Department will be installing cameras at the Metrolink station on Lewis Road in an effort to deter crime.
The electronic surveillance feed will be operational in May and will go directly to the police station so officers can monitor activity at the station. The Department of Homeland Security is set to reimburse the Camarillo Police Department $24,000 for the system.
Prior experience using nearby businesses surveillance equipment to track down the perpetrators of a robbery prompted the department to look into installing cameras as a deterrent against crime in the area. The information that can be gathered by these devices may also be valuable in helping solving crimes as well as work as a deterrent against unlawful activities.
The City of Moorpark was the first to install this type of electronic surveillance system at its Metrolink station five years ago.
Metrolink Stations are neither owned nor maintained by Metrolink. The cities where the stations are located are the station owners.
Current Camarillo Station Information:
ADDRESS
30 Lewis Road
Camarillo, CA 93012
DIRECTIONS
From the 101 Fwy., exit at Carmen Dr. Go South on Carmen to Ventura Blvd. Go East on Ventura.
PARKING
Approximately 200 parking spaces
AMENITIES
Public phone, bike lockers
CONNECTING TRANSIT
VISTA (fare required)
Amtrak
City of Camarillo Dial-A-Ride (fare required)
RAIL 2 RAIL PROGRAM
Rail 2 Rail offers Metrolink Monthly Pass Holders additional travel options on Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains.
STATION OWNER AND OPERATOR
City of Camarillo, 601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010
For station maintenance and repair: (805) 388-5346
For more information, visit www.metrolinktrains.com
The electronic surveillance feed will be operational in May and will go directly to the police station so officers can monitor activity at the station. The Department of Homeland Security is set to reimburse the Camarillo Police Department $24,000 for the system.
Prior experience using nearby businesses surveillance equipment to track down the perpetrators of a robbery prompted the department to look into installing cameras as a deterrent against crime in the area. The information that can be gathered by these devices may also be valuable in helping solving crimes as well as work as a deterrent against unlawful activities.
The City of Moorpark was the first to install this type of electronic surveillance system at its Metrolink station five years ago.
Metrolink Stations are neither owned nor maintained by Metrolink. The cities where the stations are located are the station owners.
Current Camarillo Station Information:
ADDRESS
30 Lewis Road
Camarillo, CA 93012
DIRECTIONS
From the 101 Fwy., exit at Carmen Dr. Go South on Carmen to Ventura Blvd. Go East on Ventura.
PARKING
Approximately 200 parking spaces
AMENITIES
Public phone, bike lockers
CONNECTING TRANSIT
VISTA (fare required)
Amtrak
City of Camarillo Dial-A-Ride (fare required)
RAIL 2 RAIL PROGRAM
Rail 2 Rail offers Metrolink Monthly Pass Holders additional travel options on Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains.
STATION OWNER AND OPERATOR
City of Camarillo, 601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010
For station maintenance and repair: (805) 388-5346
For more information, visit www.metrolinktrains.com
Friday, April 2, 2010
METROLINK ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
John E. Fenton brings broad transit and leadership experience to agency.
LOS ANGELES, CA April 2, 2010: After a closed session personnel discussion amongst the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority Keith Millhouse today announced that Metrolink has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer John E. Fenton effective April 16, 2010.
Mr. Fenton was chosen after a national search conducted by the Board of Directors with assistance from interim Chief Executive Officer Eric Haley. Mr Fenton brings a broad base of experience to the position, both in transportation services and executive management.
“Metrolink is pleased to announce that John Fenton has agreed to serve as the Chief Executive Officer and continue to build on the success the agency has had delivering quality commuter rail service at a time of great economic uncertainty,” said Millhouse. “With a unique combination of experience operating rail services and serving at the highest level of executive management, Mr. Fenton is well prepared to ensure passenger safety and service in our complex railroad operating environment.”
Most recently, Mr. Fenton was the Operating Partner of CIH Capital Partners, a full service investment bank. Previously he served as President and CEO of OmniTRAX, Inc., a Denver, CO based transportation services company offering a broad range of customized solutions to the industrial and transportation sectors. The company operations include 33 business units and 1,600 employees located across ten states and three Canadian provinces.
In the late 1990’s he was the General Manager/Vice President of the Canadian National Railway, Canada's largest freight railroad providing transportation and intermodal service linking customers in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico through approximately 20,400 miles of track. He previously was Vice President of the Kansas City Southern Railway and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, which later became part of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.
Mr. Fenton has a Master of Science, Systems Management (MSSM) from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Science (BS), Business Administration/Transportation Management from Indiana University, Bloomington.
The Board has authorized a two member ad hoc committee to negotiate final contract terms with Mr. Fenton. When final, the contract will be available on request consistent with the applicable law.
LOS ANGELES, CA April 2, 2010: After a closed session personnel discussion amongst the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority Keith Millhouse today announced that Metrolink has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer John E. Fenton effective April 16, 2010.
Mr. Fenton was chosen after a national search conducted by the Board of Directors with assistance from interim Chief Executive Officer Eric Haley. Mr Fenton brings a broad base of experience to the position, both in transportation services and executive management.
“Metrolink is pleased to announce that John Fenton has agreed to serve as the Chief Executive Officer and continue to build on the success the agency has had delivering quality commuter rail service at a time of great economic uncertainty,” said Millhouse. “With a unique combination of experience operating rail services and serving at the highest level of executive management, Mr. Fenton is well prepared to ensure passenger safety and service in our complex railroad operating environment.”
Most recently, Mr. Fenton was the Operating Partner of CIH Capital Partners, a full service investment bank. Previously he served as President and CEO of OmniTRAX, Inc., a Denver, CO based transportation services company offering a broad range of customized solutions to the industrial and transportation sectors. The company operations include 33 business units and 1,600 employees located across ten states and three Canadian provinces.
In the late 1990’s he was the General Manager/Vice President of the Canadian National Railway, Canada's largest freight railroad providing transportation and intermodal service linking customers in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico through approximately 20,400 miles of track. He previously was Vice President of the Kansas City Southern Railway and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, which later became part of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.
Mr. Fenton has a Master of Science, Systems Management (MSSM) from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Science (BS), Business Administration/Transportation Management from Indiana University, Bloomington.
The Board has authorized a two member ad hoc committee to negotiate final contract terms with Mr. Fenton. When final, the contract will be available on request consistent with the applicable law.
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