Metro News Release
For immediate release: October 25, 2006
Metro Transit Police test new emergency response vehicle
Metro is the first US transit property with MEC-4
The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) is testing the MEC-4, a four-person, battery-operated electric cart to gauge its practicality and reliability in responding to emergency situations in the Metrorail system.
Metro Transit Police and area first responders will use the MEC-4 to get the scene of an emergency in the Metrorail system and safely transport people who are unable to walk out of the area. The MEC-4 runs on rail tracks up to 10 mph, and can carry four people and equipment.
Metro used U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant money to purchase the MEC-4 and is the first transit property in the United States with the British-made vehicle. Metro will evaluate the emergency evacuation cart throughout a training course for first responders.
“An emergency situation in the Metrorail system would most likely mean power is taken down on rails. Because the MEC-4 runs on battery power we would be able to drive the vehicle on the tracks and respond quickly to the scene,” said Metro Transit Police Captain Jeff Delinski.
The MEC-4 is compact and lightweight, and can be easily transported. Other features of the MEC-4 include the rechargeable electric battery that is good for up to eight hours, exterior lighting, and towing capacity.
During the test period, MTPD is using the MEC-4 in some of its training classes, as is standard practice. If the testing is deemed successful, Metro will purchase additional carts to keep at various locations in the rail system. In addition to training Transit Police officers and other Metro personnel, MTPD plans to train area first responders on how to operate the vehicle.
MEC-4s cost approximately $40,000 a piece. However, MTPD bought the MEC-4 for $20,000 with the understanding that Metro would allow other transit properties the opportunity to see and try out the vehicle. Officials from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Agency (Philadelphia), and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are currently in Washington, D.C., to see a demonstration of the MEC-4 at Metro’s Carmen E. Turner Training and Maintenance Facility.
“We’re extremely pleased to have this vehicle, which we hope will allow us to respond more quickly and efficiently to emergencies in the Metrorail system,” Delinski said. “We look forward to working with local emergency response personnel and other transit agencies, and sharing our experience with the MEC-4. It’s another tool to help us minimize disruption in the Metro system and keep our employees and passengers safe.”
News release issued on October 25, 2006.