Transit Briefs: TriMet, Metro-North, SBCTA, South Shore Line

TriMet

TriMet has begun installing “blue-light security phones” at most MAX platforms. The 24/7 security hotline is a latest in a series of ongoing efforts to “comprehensively address our riders’ safety concerns and deter crime,” the agency noted.

The devices themselves are bright red towers with the word “Security” written down the side. They will also be easy to spot, day or night, due to the blue lights at the top. The phones, the agency says, let people connect immediately with TriMet security staff at the press of a button. The blue lights serve two purposes: they signal the location of the phones to those who need to use them in the dark, and they act as a crime deterrent. The phones also come equipped with cameras, giving TriMet’s security team more views of station areas and show the person calling.

The first phones have been installed at the Rose Quarter and Convention Center MAX stations. TriMet will continue installing the phones in the coming weeks at MAX stations along Interstate 84 between the Rose Quarter area and the Gateway Transit Center. TriMet’s long-term goal, the agency says, is to have the phones at most MAX stations and transit centers across its transit system.

In recent years, TriMet has increased its frontline safety and security staff to more than 460 personnel, and, in 2023, the agency added a 24-hour-a-day security hotline. Just like with the new security phones, riders can reach TriMet’s security staff on their own phones by texting or calling 503-238-7433 (RIDE). For emergency matters that require police, riders should contact 911 directly. The blue-light security phones add to the more than 8,000 cameras already on the system and, like those, can be monitored in real-time.

Despite the widespread use of mobile devices, blue-light security phones continue to demonstrate their value more than 30 years after they were first invented and installed at the University of Chicago, the agency noted. Today, nearly every college campus in the U.S. has them. Locally, Portland State University, the University of Portland and Portland Community College have them. Grocery stores and other transit agencies have begun adopting them as well.

According to TriMet, blue-light security phones have been shown to increase overall awareness around security, deterring crimes from being attempted in the first place. After Rice University installed them in 2010, the school reported a decrease in crime, including a 68% drop in burglaries.

While mobile phones are portable, not everyone has one handy. Even if they do, it may have low or no battery, and in a high-stress situation, it might be easier to push a button. There are also times when cell service drops completely, making blue-light security phones “another layer of security and communication on our transit system,” TriMet said.

Metro-North

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has alerted riders that train service on Metro-North’s Waterbury Branch Line will resume on Monday, Oct. 28, with the 4:45 a.m. train from Waterbury and the 7 a.m. train from Bridgeport.

Over the last several weeks, CTDOT and Metro-North crews and O&G Industries worked to repair the rail line that was damaged during the historic Aug. 18 rain event. The significant amount of rain created two washouts near Beacon Falls and Seymour, which prevented any trains from operating. In Seymour near the Kinneytown Dam, crews had to build temporary access roads so equipment and materials could reach the washed-out areas. Nearly 7,000 tons of material was needed to repair the washout, which was approximately 85 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 22 feet deep.

In advance of train service resuming, test trains will be operating along the Waterbury Branch Line between Waterbury and Bridgeport in both directions. These trains, Metro-North says, are necessary to test and inspect the railroad crossings and tracks over the entire rail line. The public is reminded to use caution at all railroad crossings, adhere to all posted signage and never attempt to cross tracks while the gates are down, and lights are flashing. Only cross the tracks at designated crossing locations, as walking on or along railroad tracks is dangerous and against the law.

“The damage sustained along the Waterbury Branch Line was devastating and access to these areas was incredibly difficult. It’s remarkable what crews and contractors have been able to accomplish in two months to get trains running again ahead of our initial timeline,” said CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “Thank you to the CTDOT staff, O&G, Metro-North, and all our partners who worked hard virtually every day to restore service on the Waterbury Branch Line. We look forward to welcoming customers back on October 28.”

“We appreciate the patience of our Waterbury Branch customers while permanent repairs were made to address the major washouts along the branch,” said Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. “Although we were able to provide substitute bus service during this period, we are thrilled to be able to welcome our Waterbury Branch customers back on board.”

SBCTA

SBCTA on Oct. 18 announced that it is seeking public feedback on environmental documents for the proposed ONT Connector project that would build an underground tunnel between the Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink Station and the Ontario International Airport (ONT).

The 4.2-mile tunnel would be located under Milliken Avenue and East Airport Drive. The project includes the construction of three shuttle stations and an emergency access vent shaft. An 18,000 square-foot station and an adjacent maintenance facility are set to be built at the Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink Station in Rancho Cucamonga. Additionally, two 10,000 square-foot stations would be constructed at ONT, located across from terminals 2 and 4 in the city of Ontario.

Autonomous, zero-emission shuttles would transport passengers between the train station and airport and provide a “much-needed rail to air connection for travelers and employees seeking an efficient alternative to driving to the airport,” according to SBCTA.

As part of the required research and planning, studies have been conducted to assess the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project. Under the California Environmental Quality Act, a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) has been prepared. And under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared.

The documents, which can be viewed here, are available for public review and comment between Oct. 18 and Dec. 2, 2024. All feedback must be received by Dec. 2, for consideration during the environmental phase.

A virtual public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. This, SBCTA says, will be an opportunity to learn more about the project and the environmental studies, and to provide feedback. The public hearing will be held via Zoom, and everyone interested in attending is encouraged to register here.

Since 2008, SBCTA and other agencies have assessed several transit concepts that would connect to ONT. A 2018 Hybrid Rail Planning Study found that a shuttle-style service from the Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink Station would be needed to support the projected growth of ONT, which could reach 30 million annual passengers by 2045, according to the agency.

Located in Rancho Cucamonga’s new modern living and entertainment HART district, the Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink Station is “poised to become the district’s anchor and a critical intermodal hub with future construction of the Brightline West high-speed rail station, bus accommodations for the West Valley Connector bus rapid transit route, accessibility to Rancho Cucamonga’s 6th Street Bicycle Track and the proposed ONT Connector shuttle station,” according to SBCTA.

South Shore Line

South Shore Line recently announced that the new Hammond Gateway Station is now open and operational.

Beginning Oct. 18th, passengers previously utilizing the Hammond Station began boarding and detraining all South Shore Line trains out of Hammond Gateway, located at 4530 Sheffield Ave.

“As of October 18th, the former Hammond Station at 4531 Hohman Ave. will be permanently closed,” said Amber Kettring, Customer Service & Communications Manager of South Shore Line. “In the future, the Hammond Station parking lot on Hohman Ave. will begin to be utilized as an overflow lot for the Hammond Gateway Station. Updates will be sent as construction of the West Lake Corridor Project progresses.”

“We sincerely appreciate our passengers’ patience and cooperation through this stage of the West Lake project, said Michael Noland, President of South Shore Line. “We’ve hit a milestone in this project with the opening of Hammond Gateway and this puts us that much closer to the opening of the full line extension, to be named the South Shore Line Monon Corridor upon completion.”

The existing Aug. 20, 2024, train schedule is to remain in effect. Further updates regarding the West Lake project can be found here.