Metra Awarded $20,000 Grant from Operation Lifesaver

Sept. 18, 2014
More funds to promote train safety.

Metra has been awarded a $20,000 grant from Operation Lifesaver for a new public education safety campaign “See Tracks? Think Train!” which will appear on banners affixed to the side of eight rail cars.

Metra is one of 11 transit agencies to be awarded grants ranging from $7,500 to $20,000. Working in partnership with Illinois Operation Lifesaver and Clear Channel Outdoor, Metra will use the funds to raise awareness among its passengers and the general public about rail safety. While freight railroads along with Amtrak, South Shore and Metra already implement public safety campaigns in this region, these grant funds will help to further the message.

The new campaign will feature eye-catching 3-by-29-foot banners that will be seen by waiting passengers as well as residents, businesses, motorists and pedestrians. Clear Channel Outdoor is contributing matching funds, as required by the grant, by providing digital Public Service Announcements (PSAs) featuring the Operation Lifesaver logo and message. These PSAs will be placed on 10 vertical message boards and other digital signage at Metra stations. The grant and matching funds will allow Metra to feature these messages on the train banners and on the electronic signage, generating hundreds of thousands impressions.

“I can’t say it enough: safety is our number one priority at Metra,” said Don Orseno, executive director/CEO. “I am delighted we were selected for this award and we look forward to aggressively continuing our efforts to educate the public and our customers about the importance of train safety.”

Safety has always been a top priority throughout Metra’s 30-year history. Metra’s Safety Department and the Metra Police Department are always busy with a variety of education, train safety blitzes and enforcement activities. This is evident through more than 950 Operation Lifesaver presentations that educate the public about the dangers of disobeying grade crossing warning devices and trespassing along the railroad right-of-way. Metra’s Operation Lifesaver presenters travel throughout Metra’s six-county service area, delivering information to schools (grades Pre-K through 12), bus companies, public utility companies, police and fire departments and trucking companies. About 50 safety blitzes are conducted at Metra stations throughout the year.

The Metra Police Department conducts grade-crossing violation enforcement campaigns at identified trouble spots, where pedestrians reportedly violate grade-crossing warning devices. They also partner with local municipal police in enforcement campaigns.

In addition, Metra promotes safety to a younger demographic through its annual Safety Poster and Essay Contest for grades K-12. It is designed to educate and reinforce railroad safety messages for children and teens, and help remind them of good safety habits around trains. The ninth annual contest will launch on Sept. 25.

Metra’s safety programs also include signs posted at most rail grade crossings that caution pedestrians to never stop on tracks. The signs also list a toll-free hotline phone number that pedestrians and motorists can call to report grade crossing signal malfunctions for prompt handling. Metra’s monthly newsletter, On the Bi-Level,  is used to inform and educate customers on issues that impact the rail service. Over the years, the newsletter has printed numerous articles to promote safe practices around our trains, platforms and tracks. Parents and educators will want to check-out Metra’s YouTube Channel  which features several Operation Lifesaver presentations and Safety Poster and Essay contest videos.

This grant award comes during Illinois Rail Safety Week, Sept. 14 – 19, when Metra, law enforcement and several agencies are promoting safety through blitzes and enforcements throughout the state of Illinois.