February 25, 2009 Contact: José Ubaldo/Marc Littman Metro Media Relations 213.922.3087/922.2700 www.metro.net/pressroom

Metro’s Safety 1st Campaign Now Reaches Libraries on Eastside as Train Testing Gets Underway Along New Six-Mile Metro Gold Line Extension to East Los Angeles

Metro has stepped up their Safety 1st campaign, “Look, Listen and Stay Alive,” to educate Eastside residents on how to live safely around trains now that the train testing process has begun on the new six-mile extension to East Los Angeles of the Metro Gold Line. The line will open mid-summer 2009.

Metro will begin in March and April safety awareness sessions for Eastside residents in five public libraries around the Metro Gold Line alignment in Little Tokyo, Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. Three main hospitals and religious and community centers will be visited too.

The Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension, which will feature eight stations (two underground,) will span from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles via the Little Tokyo/Arts District and Boyle Heights to Atlantic/Pomona Boulevard in East Los Angeles.
Metro Community Relations has already visited 60 schools from Kindergarten to 12 grade around the service area and delivered door to door around 85,000 flyers with information on how to take personal responsibility and be aware of their own safety when riding Metro’s 2,500 buses and 73 miles of Metro Rail throughout Los Angeles county.

The Metro Safety Awareness Sessions will take place at the following locations:

• Benjamin Franklin Library, 2200 East First Street, Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 14, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• East Los Angeles Public Library, 4837 East Third Street, Saturday, March 7, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Wednesday, March 11, 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Little Tokyo Library, 203 South Los Angeles Street, Thursday, March 19, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 21, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Stevenson Public Library, 803 Spence Street, Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, April 4, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Anthony Quinn Library, 3965 East Cesar Chavez Ave., Monday, April 6, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The main message of the safety presentations will be:

• Exercise caution at all times.
• Always wait for “walk” signal before entering crosswalk
• Always use crosswalk
• Always be prepared for what may be coming from around the corner
• Always look both ways before crossing any street
• Never make a left turn on a red arrow signal
• Never make illegal right turns
• Never run to catch a bus or train
• Never walk, play near or on rails tracks
• Never jaywalk across the street
• Obey all the traffic signals and warning signs
• Watch for TRAIN signal
• Watch for buses and trains from both directions

Additionally, each session will include a presentation of a virtual Metro Gold Line video, information about Metro’s rider relief program and a question and answer session.
Residents or organizations who need to request information on how to get safety training should contact Metro Community Relations, Transit Education Program at (213) 922-4050 or e-mail pattersond@metro.net

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Editors Note: “Metro” should be used when referring to this agency.

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