Elected officials, Metro Transit Police and St. Paul Police April 17 announced a coordinated campaign of education and enforcement to promote safety along the Metro Green Line. The announcement was made at the Snelling Avenue Station in St. Paul.
Green Line light-rail trains will soon begin full-schedule testing, running as often as every 10 minutes throughout the day. During this period – leading up to opening day on June 14 – rail operators will become certified on the line and rail systems will undergo final testing.
St. Paul Police and Metro Transit Police will conduct a corresponding campaign of safety education and enforcement in St. Paul. The campaign targets both motorists and pedestrians and focuses on:
- Obeying traffic and crossing signals at intersections along the line
- Properly using mid-block crossings and yielding to pedestrians
“The beginning of light-rail service in St. Paul is now less than eight weeks away,” said St. Paul city council member Russ Stark. “This partnership raises safety awareness for our residents and visitors as we count down to opening day.”
“Those in our neighborhoods are eager to begin using the new light-rail line,” said city council member Dai Thao. “Being safe around trains is a shared responsibility as this coordinated effort between Metro Transit and St. Paul reminds us.”
Officers will conduct dedicated patrols in squads, on bicycles and on foot along University Avenue and in downtown St. Paul. The coordinated effort focuses on peak travel times, but motorists and pedestrians can anticipate seeing officers at all times of day.
“Our focus will be safety education and engagement, but we will issue citations, if necessary, as we monitor motorist and pedestrian activity closely,” said St. Paul Police Western District Senior Commander Paul Iovino.
“Trains may operate at any time on either track from either direction along the Metro Green Line,” said Metro Transit Police Captain of East Command Jim Franklin. “We’re out here now to help share that message and prevent any bad habits.”
Approaching opening day, outreach staff will also engage pedestrians and distribute new rail and bus schedules and safety materials near station areas.
