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Metrolink CEO Brief – September 6, 2019

Join Us for the Metrolink 2019 Rail Safety Summit

NTSB Member Jennifer Homendy

September is Rail Safety Month in California and on Thursday, Sept. 12, Metrolink will host a milestone event. The Metrolink 2019 Rail Safety Summit will take place at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles and feature many of the foremost leaders in rail safety and security in the country.

The morning keynote speaker will be National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Member Jennifer Homendy. The Master of Ceremonies for the event is NBC4 Chief Political Reporter Conan Nolan.

It is fitting that Metrolink would host a national safety conference of this kind as safety is the foundational value of this agency. 

Following the morning keynote address, there will be three breakout sessions that will provide context around important safety topics.

  • Grade Crossing/Right of Way Safety moderated by American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Director, Engineering & Commuter Rail Operations Narayana Sundaram. Panelists are Darrell Fizer, SCRRA senior manager of safety security and compliance; Jason Seccombe, Pacific Railway Enterprises and Michael Steffens, HNTB.
  • Mental Health and Rail Safety discussion moderated by Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metrolink Board Member Kathryn Barger. Panelists are Kita Curry, Didi Hirsch Mental Health; Lt. Geoffrey Deedrick, LASD; Hilary Konczal, Metra Commuter Rail; Nancy Sheehan, California Operation Lifesaver and Andrew Martin, Amtrak
  • Positive Train Control Simulator

Following a lunch and additional comments, there will be breakout sessions.

  • PTC Now and into the Future moderated by Metrolink Chief of Mobilization, Transition and Special Projects Darrell Maxey. Panelists are Mark Delaney, Metra; Chris Jagodzinski, Amtrak; Gregory M. Richardson, Union Pacific Railroad; Bob Brendza, BNSF; Paulo Vieira, Assoc. of American Railroads.
  • Quiet zone implementation moderated by Covina Councilmember and Metrolink Board Member Walter Allen III. Panelists are Nathan Mustafa, City of Riverside; Joe Petito, Federal Railroad Administration; Mark Christoffels, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and Anton Garabetian, California Public Utilities commission.
  • Positive Train Control Simulator

There is still time to register for the Metrolink 2019 Safety Summit. To get more information and register visit www.metrolinktrains.com/summit.

 We Did It! Pep Rally for New Ridership Record, Our Future Plans

I really felt the energy on Tuesday when the Metrolink team gathered for a pep rally at the Melbourne Warehouse for our recent ridership milestone, celebrate our team’s hard work, and introduce my full executive team for the first time. While the day was celebratory, it was also an opportunity to rally the team around our shared vision for Metrolink, and our commitment to customer service, safety and innovation.  We also gave the first Gem Awards for excellence. 

Gem Awards

Gem Award winners are nominated by their peers for outstanding work.

  • The Pearl Gem Award - Melissa Flores of Fare Collections won for a quick turn-around of 300 promo codes for participants of the CEO online chat. She was nominated by Brett Hawkins of Marketing and Communications.
  • Diamond Gem Award - Andy Althorp of Engineering and Construction won the Diamond Gem Award for designing a procedure at a construction project between Laguna Niguel and San Juan Capistrano that does not require engineers to blow their horns and disturb residents. Andy was nominated by Chief of Program Delivery Justin Fornelli, Chief Operating Officer Eric Hosey and Chief Safety Security and Compliance Officer Don Filippi. 

Left to right: Brett Hawkins and Pearl Gem Award winner Melissa Flores

Left to right: Chief Operating Officer Eric Hosey, Principal Engineer Andy Althrop, Chief Safety Security and Compliance Officer Don Filippi, and Chief of Program Delivery Justin Fornelli

Metrolink Riders Greeted by LA County Fair Petting Farm

In one of the most adorable traditions anywhere, Metrolink and the LA County Fair had our annual Petting Farm at Union Station on Wednesday morning. It was a time of fun as commuters were greeted at the East Portal by a baby donkey, a calf and two little goats.

Not only did we give “city folk” a chance to channel their inner “country” by petting animals, we also encouraged them to use Metrolink’s special service to the LA County Fair. 

We had terrific news coverage from KCBS/KCAL TV, NBC4, ABC7, Telemundo 52 and the Southern California News Group. Many people told us that they saw the TV coverage while getting ready for work and came directly to the petting farm to see the baby animals.

The animals at the petting farm were cared for by professional handlers and were under a veterinarian’s supervision. People who pet the animals were provided with a washing station and sanitary wipes to clean their hands to prevent the possible spread of disease.  

Metrolink to the LA County Fair

Metrolink San Bernardino Line Saturday and Sunday trains make a special stop at the Fairplex Station stop after 10 a.m. We also scheduled an additional evening train departing the Fairplex for Union Station at 8:30 p.m.

Fair-goers can take advantage of Metrolink’s $10 Weekend Day Pass with a free shuttle from the train platform to the front gate. Metrolink customers also receive discounted single-day admission tickets of $12 for adults and $6 for children at the Fair when they purchase online at www.lacf.com.

Metrolink has made the special weekend stops at the Fairplex Station during Fair season since 1993.  

Listening to our neighbors at the CMF Area Community Meeting

Tomorrow, Metrolink staff will host our quarterly meeting with the communities surrounding the CMF to provide them with updates on our CMF Action Plan. Click here to see the most recent version. 

All are invited to Saturday’s meeting including our Metrolink Board Members along with representatives of elected officials that represent the area, specifically Congressman Adam Schiff, and Los Angeles City Councilmembers Gil Cedillo and Mitch O’Farrell.

The meeting will take place Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Cypress Park Recreation Center, 2630 Pepper Ave., Los Angeles 90065. We hope you can attend. 

Doing Business with Metrolink: Procurement Update

 

Metrolink currently has the following procurements on our vendor portal (PlanetBids):

  • Cash Collection County Services (SP504R-20) – proposals due on September 19th (2:00PM PT)

  • On-Call Professional Engineering Design Services (E745-20) – proposals due on October 3rd (2:00PM PT)

An up-to-date list of open and upcoming procurements can be viewed here.

Social Media Spotlight  

 

This week’s Social Media Spotlight comes from @skingsart who says “I drew Santa Ana train station from Track 1! Beautiful architecture.” We love our riders.