Officials Focus on Light Rail Safety

Safety seems to be the main focus of the Valley METRO Light Rail as it prepares to open to the public on December 27^th.

An in-depth safety campaign, plenty of enhanced signage, security measures, along with closed circuit cameras at each station are some of the many safety measures being taken by the Valley METRO Light Rail, according to Mike James, the Deputy Transportation Director of Planning of Transit in Mesa.

“As we are excited for the largest Light Rail in the United States to open up this month, we also need to keep educating people on safety so that the extremely smooth and quiet light rail runs safely,” said Amy Bratt of the METRO Outreach Staff in a safety preparation talk Wednesday at Dennis J. Cahill Senior Center in Tempe.

The Light Rail covers 20 miles in three cities (Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix), and has 28 stations that members can board on.  It also crosses 148 intersections in its 20-mile journey, which can cause concern with automobile traffic, according to Bratt.

“The biggest safety message we are preaching is to obey all traffic signals,” said Hillary Foose, the METRO Public Information Officer. ” The light rail is synced up with traffic signals, and so it is more meaningful that red light means stop.”

The light rail, which has trains frequently arriving at each platform every ten minutes, sounds bells and horns to warn automobiles and pedestrians that it is approaching, but with the normal quietness of the light rail it is important to use crosswalks and continuously obey traffic signals.

According to Bratt, the Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe Police Departments are all working with the light rail to ensure safety. Also, along with previously mentioned closed circuit security cameras being on each train and at each platform, security guards will be on the trains for precautionary reasons.

The Valley’s new way of transportation is also working school districts in all three cities, educating them on how to use the light rail safely.

“Part of the reason this particular route was chosen was because there are a lot of schools on the route and it can be very beneficial to students,” added Foose. ” Also it is very frequent and very affordable for students.”

Another plus for students under 18 is that the rates are cheaper by close to 50%, and for Arizona State University students the light rail is free, according to Foose.

Light rail passes which can be purchased from a ticket vending machine at each stop are $2.50 for a daily pass, $17.50 for a weekly pass and $45 for a month long pass.

Some of the schools that are along the alignment of the light rail include, Gateway Community College, Arizona State Tempe and Downtown Phoenix Campuses, EVIT, Central High School and Brophy High School, according to James.

Not only has METRO made the light rail easier for students who ride, but nicer everyone who rides it.

The light rail train itself has air conditioning that has been tested up to 140 degrees, bike racks inside the train, along with tinted windows. Also on the each platform there is artwork, plants, non-heat absorbing materials seats and benches and fabric coverings that shade the platforms for customer’s satisfaction, said Bratt.

“Having nice trains and some artwork at each platform just puts another nice element into the system and gives our community a sense of pride,” added Bratt.

The Light Rail, which opens December 27^th will be free for the first week it is open and on the first two days of opening their will be celebrations at each platform. There will be big name bands playing in all of the light rail cities, such as Grand Funk Railroad, a popular ‘70s band, that will be playing in Mesa, according to James.

There will be activities and vendors at each platform, and fireworks over “A” mountain in Tempe to conclude the day’s festivities as well.

Along with the light rail making travel more convenient for the public using it, they are hoping that it makes it more convenient for people traveling in automobiles as well.

“I believe that the light rail opening will take close to 25,000 cars off the road in the areas where the Light Rail Train is in service,” said James.

The light rails route takes approximately 58 minutes to complete. The train will start up at 4:40 a.m. and close down at midnight every night, with the last route starting at 11:00 p.m.

Guest Article contributed by Ryan Nettleship
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications

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