Metrolink CEO Brief – October 11, 2019
Guide Dogs Take Over Union Station
Guide Dogs of America brought eight puppies, guide dogs in training and fully trained guide dog to meet Metrolink riders.
Metrolink riders at Union Station caught a glimpse of highly trained puppies as we hosted Guide Dogs of America to support National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month on Tuesday. Inclusion and equity are core values to Metrolink. These adorable and hard-working friends offered not only delight, but a reminder of the respect Metrolink has for the different challenges our riders and employees face.
We also want our passengers to know that not only is Metrolink fully ADA compliant, we enthusiastically welcome trained service dogs and service dogs in training.
Blind Metrolink rider Tom Olzak, who is also on the board of directors of Guide Dogs of America, spoke to press at the event, describing his experience with his dog, Goliath, riding on Metrolink.
The puppies inspired 32 people to sign up for information on becoming a puppy raiser. A puppy raiser gives the puppy a loving start in life from 8 weeks to 18 months and then returns the puppy to Guides Dogs of America for formal training.
View television coverage of the event.
FRA Administrator Visits Metrolink
FRA Administrator Ronald Batory tours the CMF with Metrolink Asst. Director of Maintenance Carlos Perez
On Thursday, I had the honor of hosting Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Ronald Batory as he visited Metrolink. It was a full day that started at the Central Maintenance Facility, where our Board Chair Brian Humphrey and Vice-Chair Ara Najarian described the safety and system improvements in progress.
Administrator Batory experienced the PTC simulator while at Union Station
Administrator Batory aboard a Metrolink train with Board Chair Brian Humphrey (left) and me along with staff.
Administrator Batory rode the locomotive to Pomona for a tour of our Dispatching and Operations Center. Administrator Batory has been a strong advocate for Metrolink in D.C. So, at a roundtable in downtown L.A., I emphasized the necessity for federal funding to keep Metrolink safe and successful in a challenging environment.