Urban Shield Enables Regional First Responders to Exercise their Core Competencies

Metrolink partnered with Amtrak in the fourth annual Urban Shield Training event Oct. 15 through 19 in Oakland, CA. Urban Shield enables regional first responders to exercise their core competencies through scenario-based training. Regional multi-agency, multi-disciplinary training exercises are offered to first responders in various exercises including rail and transit. These exercises provide opportunities to enhance response efforts and identify training needs in a simulated environment.


Approximately 30 SWAT teams competed, including international teams from Israel, Jordan and Bahrain. Metrolink Security Manager Jesus Ojeda provided safety briefings for the simulation involving a passenger trains being hijacked by terrorists to several teams, including the winning team from the State of Israel National Police. The Metrolink Media Relations team also attended and were able to work with several first responders to determine the best way to communicate and gather information during these types of crisis situations.

New Rotem Cars are “Ready to Roll”

The highly anticipated Hyundai Rotem cars are “ready to roll” and will be introduced to the public, employees and stakeholders beginning the first week of December. Beginning Dec. 6, Metrolink passengers will be among the first in the nation to ride in cars with unique safety features such as collision-absorption technology. Initially, staff is proposing that the first 12 cars be deployed across the Metrolink System to provide the greatest regional benefit.


Beginning Dec. 6, Metrolink will host a series of whistle stop tours to officially launch the state-of-the-art cars to the public. Media, stakeholders and members of the public will be invited to these events which will include the participation of the Metrolink Board of Directors, whose commitment to safety made the purchase of the new, Rotem cars possible.