Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 6, 2008

Metro improves safety, reduces accidents and injuries

Escalator, Metrorail and Metrobus passenger injuries down

Metro’s aggressive focus on safety is showing signs of success. Based on safety performance statistics from July 2007 to March 2008, Metro has reduced escalator injuries, Metrorail and bus passenger injuries, and fire and smoke incidents.

Escalator injuries are down 50 percent, rail passenger injuries are down 44 percent and bus passenger injuries are down 18 percent. “Continued escalator safety awareness programs have helped reduce escalator injuries,” said Ron Keele, Metro’s Chief Safety Officer. “We’ve stepped up training for bus and rail operators and increased communications with customers to help reduce passenger injuries.”

In addition to reduced injuries, track fire and smoke incidents in the Metro system have decreased. Fire incidents are down 43 percent and smoke incidents are down 5 percent, thanks to the installation of debris catchers at track switches, where trains switch tracks, and additional trash receptacles at busy Metrorail stations.

To improve safety on Metrobus, Metro installed new mirrors on buses to help operators increase their sight distance and began testing a collision avoidance system to help operators steer clear of cars and other objects in their most critical blind spots. Metro placed additional street supervisors in the field and increased safety training and communications with employees.

“Safety is a top priority at Metro, and we will continue to look at ways to make our buses, trains, stations and parking facilities as safe as possible,” said Keele.

In May 2007, Metro instituted an authority-wide safety improvement program with the goal of reducing accidents and injuries by half in five years.

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News release issued at 12:05 pm, May 6, 2008.