LA Metro
LA Metro on Oct. 28 launched its enhanced app, Transit Watch 3.0, which provides passengers with an accessible and direct line of communication to report security incidents, suspicious activities, safety, concerns and maintenance issues directly to the agency.
The newly enhanced app, LA Metro says, “offers a comprehensive platform that simplifies the user experience to better accommodate a diverse user base with varying levels of technological proficiency.” All essential functions, such as incident reporting, location-based services, real-time communication, and image and video sharing, are now easy to locate and navigate.
Transit Watch 3.0 will also support the 14 most commonly spoken languages in Los Angeles County, including Armenian, Catalan, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Russian, Slovenian, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese.
Transit Watch 3.0 introduces several innovative new features, including:
- Real-time translation functionality from inbound and outbound messages to accommodate limited English proficiency users.
- Optional “Share Location” feature allows users to easily select the location from where they are reporting, whether it be at a station, bus stop, train or bus.
- Expanded media capability allows users to upload videos in addition to photos
- In-app messaging allows users to communicate with Metro Security in real-time, 24/7, without ever leaving the app.
The new and improved version of LA Metro’s Transit Watch platform, the agency says, is a critical component of its efforts to “enhance the system’s safety and security and promise to always put the rider first.” The new version also provides improved real-time reporting and statistical analysis on the desktop application, which helps LA Metro respond to issues more efficiently and identify trends. Metro Security monitors messages 24/7.
“We all play a role in making the system safer,” said Deputy Chief of System Security & Law Enforcement Robert Gummer. “Whether you’re on your way to work, school or to visit friends we want to know whenever you see something concerning. With the enhanced features of Transit Watch 3.0 now you can share information, including your exact location and videos, with us in real-time 24/7.”
“We are so grateful to all the riders who shared their time and valuable feedback with us by responding to surveys and participating in focus groups and testing,” said Metro Chief Customer Experience Officer Jennifer Vides. “The result is an easier to use app that better meets the needs of Metro’s diverse ridership and helps make our system faster, cleaner, friendlier and safer.”
The LA Metro Transit Watch App is available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. More information including step by step instructions is available here.
Denver RTD
RTD has lifted all light rail speed restrictions between Englewood and Oxford-City of Sheridan stations, and D Line trains have resumed normal speeds along this segment of the Southwest Corridor, the agency recently announced.
The 10 mile-per-hour speed restrictions were implemented over the summer and remained in place until necessary maintenance work could be completed. Along the D Line, two speed restrictions remain in place, which is causing moderate delays in total travel time along the corridor.
Remaining speed restrictions will continue to be lifted as track repair work is completed. RTD’s speed restrictions webpage is regularly updated with maintenance information and is available here.
In May 2024, RTD began a planned inspection of all light rail track to identify preventative issues that may need to be addressed. As the agency discovered defects along the rail alignment, and depending on their severity, RTD implemented speed restrictions until crews could complete necessary repairs or perform maintenance work. More information about RTD’s enhanced light rail inspection process is available here.
