American Public Transportation Association recognizes Metro Transit for efforts to improve conditions for riders, transit workers
Metro Transit has earned a national award recognizing its ongoing efforts to create a safer and more welcoming system for riders and transit workers.
The agency on Tuesday, June 30, received a Gold Award in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Safe, Effective, and Clean category for Light Rail/Streetcar. Metro Transit leaders accepted the award at APTA’s Rail Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.
The prestigious award recognizes rail transportation systems that have implemented initiatives or programs that achieve significant safety or security objectives.
“While our work continues, we are proud to see our efforts to create a consistently clean, safe, and welcoming experience on transit being acknowledged as industry leading,” General Manager Lesley Kandaras said. “This award doesn’t signify that our work is over but instead provides motivation to continue the positive momentum as our system continues to evolve and grow.”
The award broadly recognizes efforts to advance the agency’s Safety & Security Action Plan (SSAP), developed after a Metropolitan Council Police Work Group engaged riders, transit workers, and community partners and put forward recommendations in 2022.
The plan identifies more than 40 action items organized around three main areas of work: improving conditions on the system, training and supporting employees, and engaging customers and partners.
“Riders, transit workers, and community partners called for an inclusive approach to transit safety, responsive leadership and accountability, stronger community partnerships, and over the past five years we have answered that call,” said Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee Chair Reva Chamblis, who led the work group.
A cornerstone of the SSAP is growing the official presence on transit by bringing more Metro Transit police officers and Community Service Officers, TRIP agents, supplemental security, and community partners onto the system.
Metro Transit police officers, Community Service Officers, or TRIP agents are now present on more than 40% of all light rail trips, a sign of steady growth in all these important areas.
“Our whole community approach to public safety is essential to creating the kind of system that people are proud of and want to see continue to thrive,” Metro Transit Police Chief Joe Dotseth said.
Signs of success include improvements in customer satisfaction and feelings of safety, reductions in serious crime, customer complaints and property damage, and an increase in fare inspections.
Contact: Jeremy Zoss, [email protected]