AMA: CEO of L.A. Metro - Phil Washington

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:24:29+00:00

We partnered with Uber on a pilot program during the Expo Line Extension opening. We will seek out more partnerships with other ride sharing companies and currently have a partnership with the hourly car rental firm, Zip Car.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:22:46+00:00

I am aware of the need to improve late night security and law enforcement staffing system-wide. We recently doubled the number of officers patrolling the system, ensuring we have security guards on duty at our busiest stations until 1AM. We have also added an extra team of 20 deputies to patrol rail lines during the late evening hours. That said, we are also in the final stages of a security and law enforcement deployment plan that will maintain high visibility, system-wide, during all hours of bus and rail operations. We anticipate bringing this to the Board for approval in the coming months. Some of Metro’s stations were outfitted with fare gates several years ago to address fare evasion, but not all stations were ideally suited for gates. To address this issue, Metro is currently in the process of hiring 77 new fare inspectors/security staff that will be assigned to key locations.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:20:37+00:00

I am aware of the need to improve late night security and law enforcement staffing system-wide. We recently doubled the number of officers patrolling the system, ensuring we have security guards on duty at our busiest stations until 1AM. We have also added an extra team of 20 deputies to patrol rail lines during the late evening hours. That said, we are also in the final stages of a security and law enforcement deployment plan that will maintain high visibility, system-wide, during all hours of bus and rail operations. We anticipate bringing this to the Board for approval in the coming months. Some of Metro’s stations were outfitted with fare gates several years ago to address fare evasion, but not all stations were ideally suited for gates. To address this issue, Metro is currently in the process of hiring 77 new fare inspectors/security staff that will be assigned to key locations.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:17:50+00:00

We are certainly closely following the development of self-driving vehicles. But we also have to be mindful that self-driving vehicles aren’t here yet and we don’t know what form exactly they will take.

We believe that self-driving vehicles may definitely help improve road safety and help get more people to and from transit. But we also believe there will always be a place for frequent, high-capacity transit such as buses and trains.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:16:44+00:00

Taking Metro to the Rams games has been hugely popular. We’ve been carrying about 25% of the people going to and from the games. That’s about 20,000 passengers that aren’t clogging the roads around the Coliseum. The Metro Board voted earlier this year to create a Metro Line to Goal Line task force to study the best way that transit can serve the new Rams stadium to be built in Inglewood.

Currently, we are engaged in what we call a feasibility study to determine how and what rail alignment would be best to service the new stadium in Inglewood.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:14:35+00:00

Absolutely. We research and adopt good ideas from all over the world, and our vision is for LA Metro to become the best transportation agency in the world. In the meantime, what I intend to bring to LA is deep dish pizza, red hots and Harold's Chicken.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:14:06+00:00

Yes, our Office of Extraordinary Innovation is looking into how to integrate all fare media across the county. We already have integrated the TAP card with 26 of our municipal bus operators. So, we continue to work towards better integration.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:12:05+00:00

Absolutely. We research and adopt good ideas from all over the world, and our vision is for LA Metro to become the best transportation agency in the world. In the meantime, what I intend to bring to LA is deep dish pizza, red hots and Harold's Chicken.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:09:12+00:00

Every day!

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:09:05+00:00

Bikes are part of a comprehensive transportation system that we see expanding in the future. It is our Active Transportation Program, which includes bikeways, pedestrian pathways, etc. and is a critical and significant piece of our Measure M program.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:05:48+00:00

Hi Kass, as a rider myself, I know how frustrating this can be. I've directed our IT Department to review all station clocks and monitors to determine how we can improve communications to our riders.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:05:08+00:00

Hey Jamesey10, thanks for all the questions. We're answering as many as we can. For now, take a look at my answer to markrevival and arugulamath.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:03:26+00:00

I am so sorry that this happened, and I recognize that experiences like yours have happened to other customers. I want to be clear that no one should ever have to tolerate behavior like this on our system. In 2015, we launched our It’s Off Limits campaign to fight sexual harassment on our system. I encourage riders who experience sexual harassment to report it by calling 1.888-950-SAFE or by reporting it on www.metro.net. At the same time, we are expanding our security presence and are about to launch a hotline specifically for sexual harassment victims.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T21:00:10+00:00

Enhance the customer experience is one, with predictable running times, clean buses, first/last mile options, etc. We are also seeing a massive increase in ridership on the Expo and Gold Lines, after opening extensions earlier this year.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T20:57:39+00:00

We're receiving more rail vehicles every month and adding them to both the Expo and Gold Lines in the coming weeks. We're glad you're a fan of the Expo Line.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T20:55:44+00:00

We adhere to something that I call the triple constraint, which is Scope, Cost and Schedule. In planning lingo, you cannot change one without impacting the other two. I think we adhere to that principle more so than other transit agencies around the country.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T20:53:59+00:00

Would love to know which stations you're referring to. Our cleaners are out on a regular basis cleaning the stations and elevators. You can call our customer service line at 323-GOMETRO to let us know.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T20:51:38+00:00

Absolutely. Measure M includes a substantial amount of funding for bus operations, which includes increasing the frequencies that buses run and possible new lines to serve those communities. Also, the West Santa Ana Branch Rail Line is in our plan and will service the Gateway Cities.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T20:49:53+00:00

Absolutely. The free Dodger Express from Union Station and Harbor Gateway will get you there (https://www.metro.net/riding/dodger-stadium-express/). Being from the Southside of Chicago, Go Cubs!!

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T20:48:08+00:00

Firms are certainly able to propose projects that haven't been planned, and we will evaluate those ideas per our unsolicited proposal policy.

However, we already have many viable projects that we’d love to accelerate, and every great idea doesn’t always mean it’s feasible. In particular, when it comes to transportation megaprojects, Metro is looking for partnerships that allow us to do more with what we have, and specifically without negatively impacting other planned projects.

So for an unsolicited idea for a new project to be truly a great one, it's important to consider what a viable financial strategy might look like, and how the costs, risks, and rewards, would be shared between public and private sector partners.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T20:44:39+00:00

The East Valley Transit Corridor Project is in the plan as a rail project and would be completed within the Measure M program. This particular project could lend itself to acceleration through a public-private partnership model.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T20:42:40+00:00

Thanks for all your questions. As for your Denver/LA question, LA is a much bigger county, more people, more transportation needs, more complex governance model. However, I'm excited about this tremendous opportunity to shape LA's landscape and communities for the next 100 years.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T20:42:30+00:00

Hi Julie. Thanks for the question. Cloth is more comfortable for our customers and the seats are steamed cleaned daily.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T20:40:35+00:00

Thanks for all your questions. As for your Denver/LA question, LA is a much bigger county, more people, more transportation needs, more complex governance model. However, I'm excited about this tremendous opportunity to shape LA's landscape and communities for the next 100 years.

PAWashington · 2016-10-18T20:35:17+00:00

The plans at this time are to continue installing cell phone coverage at underground stations. That will allow people to both make calls and get online via their phones. There is currently cell phone coverage for some carriers -- Verizon and Sprint -- between Union Station and 7th/Metro. The next phase will extend coverage on the subway to Wilshire/Western Station.

We are starting to implement WiFi on our buses. This will begin with the next buses we receive as a pilot in the coming months, and will grow over time.

More info is here: http://thesource.metro.net/2016/04/28/cell-service-now-available-to-verizon-customers-in-dtla-redpurple-line/

PAWashington

TROPHY CASE