Metrolink gearing up for express service by launching safety initiatives

Express Service Debut:

Metrolink will debut its express service pilot program on its two busiest lines, Antelope Valley and San Bernardino, May 9, 2011.

The Antelope Valley Line express train will depart from Palmdale and stop at Santa Clarita, Downtown Burbank and Los Angeles Union Station, making the total commute time 88 minutes end-to-end. The San Bernardino Line express train will depart San Bernardino and make stops in Rancho Cucamonga, Covina and Los Angeles Union Station within 60 minutes.

If the six-month express pilot program proves successful, we will consider continuing the service on both lines and expanding the service to other lines in the future.

Public Safety Initiatives:

Metrolink has launched a public outreach initiative to increase safety awareness among its riders and station communities. We are spreading word to the public that once the service launches, not all Metrolink trains will stop at every station. Passengers need to be alert at all times and remain behind the yellow platform line until a train comes to a complete stop. As part of our outreach efforts, Metrolink will:

• Distribute seat drops on Antelope Valley and San Bernardino Line trains April 24 and May 1
• Have conductors make special safety announcements (May 1, 2011 through May 15, 2011) on all Antelope Valley and San Bernardino Line trains upon arrival at each stop
• Hold safety blitzes (in partnership with Operation Lifesaver and the LA County Sheriff’s Department) at Glendale, Claremont and other stations that consist of disseminating information that includes platform, crossing and right-of-way safety.
• Post notices on our Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) on April 24
• Program voice and electronic station message board safety information at Los Angeles Union Station
• Add automated safety message to our call center’s Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) system to educate passengers
• Have customer engagement representatives pass out flyers and educate passengers
• Distribute safety material to station security guards at all stations along both lines
• Place Operation Lifesaver posters in train literature holders that include information on where passengers should stand on the platforms, crossing tracks safely, and being aware of trains at all times
• Distribute safety messages through press releases, passenger newsletter and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, the Metrolink website and blog)
• Install permanent caution signs at affected stations to remind passengers that not all trains will stop at every station
• Post temporary yard signs at highway grade crossings to address motorist and pedestrian safety

For additional details on Metrolink's express service safety initiatives, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com/news/?id=6263

High schools look to Metrolink as safe transportation alternative for prom

Prom season is one of the most exciting times of the year for high school students but can also be one of the most dangerous. That’s because alcohol-related peer pressure is strongest at prom time, according to a joint report on combating juvenile DUI by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The leading cause of death among U.S. teens is motor vehicle crashes, and alcohol is among the many contributing factors. In 2008, nearly 75 percent of teen drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes after drinking and driving were not wearing a seat belt, according to the CDC.

In an effort to prevent students from becoming another statistic, three high schools along our San Bernardino Line have turned to us as a transportation alternative: San Gorgonio, Summit and Chino. We are offering students discounted round-trip tickets from their origin stations to Los Angeles Union Station where each school's prom will be held.

This year San Gorgonio High was the first to try out our service; it held its prom on Saturday, April 16. “The kids had a great time coming down here, and it worked out actually better than I had hoped for in terms of all the kids getting here and coming right into the station where we had the prom,” said Principal Chuck Schindler.

According to the CDC, teen drivers who are at an even higher risk of getting into motor vehicle crashes include teens driving with other teens as passengers, which is a reason San Gorgonio contacted Metrolink. “We know that a high number of teenagers do get into accidents, and so we felt that this would be a safer way to do it rather than have all our kids travel together in cars and go through the risk of driving on the freeways. A lot of our parents, once they found out, were actually excited about it and felt it was safer for their kids to use the trains rather than drive,” added Schindler.

Students who took the train arrived at LA Union Station around 6:30 p.m. to have dinner before busting a move on the dance floor. ”It was really fun and a lot easier than driving. I didn’t want to drive all the way down here, especially in a tux,” said student Joey Atencio, who added that his mother was happy when she learned that he could take the train. After the event ended, students took our 11:30 p.m. train back to San Bernardino.

Summit held its prom on April 23 and Chino will have its big night on May 21.

Summit High students exiting the train, heading to prom at
Union Station's Old Ticket Room. More than 600 students
attended.

An excited Tyler Washington, Summit High
senior class president, on how public
transportation benefits the environment.

Vanessa Cabrera, Summit High senior class
vice president, on how Metrolink is a safe
transportation alternative.

Jobby Tseng, Summit High senior class officer,
on decorating Metrolink train cars.

San Bernardino Railroad Days are Right Around the Corner

The third annual San Bernardino Railroad Days event, sponsored this year by BNSF, is right around the corner. The two-day extravaganza will take place Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Fe Depot (1170 W. 3rd St.) near the Metrolink San Bernardino Station.

There will be food; live country-western music; western-themed re-enactments; model railroads; antique trains, trucks and cars; and a host of other fun activities for both adults and children. There is a fee for some activities.

The historic #3751 Steam Engine will be on display, and you can ride it Saturday at approximately 9 a.m. from Los Angeles Union Station to the San Bernardino Station or at 3 p.m. from the San Bernardino Station to Los Angeles Union Station. Ticket prices range from $95 to $115.

The San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum, located at the Santa Fe Depot, will be open to the public both days free of charge. Take a tour of the railroad memorabilia, antique horsedrawn buggies and other historical items on display.

Be sure to come dressed in western attire, and don’t forget to have your camera handy so you can capture all the excitement. To purchase tickets online, visit sbrailroaddays.com. You can also purchase tickets at the museum on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact the museum at 909-888-3634 or sbrrdays@me.com.

There will be plenty of parking for the event. You can park at the Metrolink lot or at the new 352-space parking structure Metrolink just opened last month.

Faithful Metrolink riders recall experiences, bid adieu

Peter Parsons and Mojdeh Zolfaghari have something in common. Until March 30, they both were frequent riders who commuted to and from work on Metrolink’s Orange County Line – Parsons for nearly 12 years and Zolfaghari for 11 months. They also stopped riding Metrolink trains for the same reason: work relocation.

Parsons described his Metrolink experience as simply fun, and he also offered his take on why people should ride Metrolink trains. “It’s cheaper than driving, it’s much more relaxing, you meet a lot of nice people and you’ll always have a lot of nice friends to remember when the days of riding are over,” he said.

When recalling her time as a rider, Zolfaghari thinks back to the connection she made with other riders. “You get to know everyone, you bond with them and you become good friends. Every morning you look forward to seeing them, and every afternoon you look forward to riding with them, so I’m gonna miss it,” she said. Zolfaghari plans to ride Metrolink trains again when the opportunity presents itself. “It’s the best experience. I hope everyone uses the transportation. It’s available for everyone,” she said.



Parsons on the benefits of riding Metrolink

Zolfaghari reminisces about bonding with other riders

Metrolink and SANBAG greet early morning passengers ahead of San Bernardino parking structure grand opening

Metrolink and SANBAG employees arrived at the Metrolink San Bernardino Station at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30, in time for the morning rush hour (4:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.) to meet and greet riders with bags filled with transit information; snacks; a souvenir; and a free coffee voucher provided by the local Santa Fe Depot coffee vendor.

Metrolink and SANBAG held the early morning meet and greet to celebrate the grand opening of our new three-and-a-half story, 352-space parking structure located at the west end of the station and to also thank riders for their continued patronage. The number of passengers who board trains at the San Bernardino Station, one of our busiest, averages 800 per day. Before the addition of the new structure, there was only one 427-space lot that filled quickly because Metrolink riders shared it with SANBAG and San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum employees, and patrons and employees of other businesses in the area. As a result, some riders turned to street parking.

Michael Palmer, a Metrolink rider who lives in San Bernardino, said the new parking structure makes finding a spot a lot easier. “I came down and I drove right in there, and I got a nice place to park in the shade rather than having to park a block away out on the street which is now two-hour parking. So, I think it’s an added improvement, not only because of the extra spaces but you get to park in the shade too,” he said.

SANBAG held a 9 a.m. press conference featuring four speakers who discussed how the addition of the structure, which is free of charge to riders, will improve the customer service experience for Metrolink passengers: our own Bryan Payne, P.E., Assistant Director, Capital Program Management; San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris, who is also the Vice-Chair of our Board; and San Bernardino First Ward City Councilwoman Virginia Marquez. Following the press conference, SANBAG held a ribbon cutting ceremony to make the parking structure official.

The additional spaces will not only benefit current riders but also new riders, which we anticipate an increase in due to rising gas prices.

The structure cost $6.5 million, a little less than half of the original estimate. It features LED lighting, which will yield an approximately 50 percent energy cost saving, according to Mayor Morris.