Metro News Release

For immediate release: April 21, 2005

Escalators, Elevators are In Service More Often

Metro Board members agreed Thursday to continue overhauling the rail system’s escalators and elevators after hearing the equipment is performing much more reliably.

The Board approved one-year contract extensions to maintain 368 escalators and 110 elevators. Under the changed contracts, 41 escalators will be added to a list of dozens scheduled to be rehabilitated by 2010. The contracts also cover extra labor costs, including paying for repairs that took place at night, which Metro officials say is more convenient to customers.

Officials told board members the availability of the rail system’s 588 escalators and 209 elevators has significantly improved about half way through the major rehabilitation project. Metro plans to overhaul 70 percent or 413 escalators and 45 percent or 95 of its elevators by 2010. Repair crews have rehabilitated 152 escalators since 2000. Over the last five years, the availability of the system’s 588 escalators has risen 3 percent on average to about 93 percent, which is exceeding the agency’s goals.

"The performance numbers we have seen in recent months tell us our long-term program is working. As you may recall, we put part of our first fare increase two years ago into strengthening this program, and the results are paying off," said Metro General Manager/CEO Richard A. White.

As part of the program, Metro has eliminated its original 2002 top 20 elevator and escalator worst performers, mainly through aggressive maintenance. Metro officials also said installing canopies over the outdoor escalators has helped reduce breakdowns. Crews also have installed remote monitoring equipment in more than half of the escalators and a third of the elevators to speed repairs. The system is expected to be fully operational next summer. Fourteen elevators have been overhauled in the last three years. Riders are able to find a working elevator 97 percent of the time, which averages about 2 percent higher than three years ago. ###

News release issued on April 21, 2005.