National Campaign Aims to Educate Public About Safety Around Trains and Tracks; Runs from Sept. 18 Through 24
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad today announced a series of events surrounding National Rail Safety Week, which aims to raise awareness of rail safety and empower the general public to keep themselves safe around stations, highway-rail grade crossings and railroad rights-of-way.
Participation in the national week-long education campaign is part of the MTA Railroads’ TRACKS (Together Railroads And Communities Keeping Safe) programs, the safety education programs led by the LIRR and Metro-North safety departments to reach out to customers and neighbors in the communities they serve, including schools, camps, day care facilities, and community groups.
“Rail Safety Week is a great opportunity to remind the communities we serve about the importance of staying safe around railroad tracks,” said Metro-North President and LIRR Interim President Catherine Rinaldi. “Safety is at the center of everything we do, and these outreach events allow us to spread that message and educate customers on helpful tips for keeping safe.”
Railroad staff will be joined by the MTA Police Department as well as representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration, New York State Department of Transportation, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Connecticut Operation Lifesaver, and Response Crisis Center.
More information on the events can be found below.
Metro-North Railroad
On Monday, Sept. 18, volunteers will be at the following stations to promote rail safety to all customers:
- Bridgeport
- Croton-Harmon
- Fordham
- Harlem-125th Street
- Milford
- New Rochelle
- Scarsdale
- South Norwalk
- Tarrytown
- White Plains
On Tuesday, Sept. 19, Metro-North volunteers will be at the following locations to promote railroad crossing safety to pedestrians and drivers:
- Peekskill: Hudson Avenue Railroad Crossing
- Katonah: Jay Street Railroad Crossing
- Danbury Station
On Thursday, Sept. 21, Metro-North will have a table set up at the following stations for Customer Safety Day:
- Stamford
- Croton-Harmon
Customers can play games and win prizes while learning how to be safe around trains, tracks and grade crossings. Metro-North is also launching this year’s Rail Safety Week poster contest.
Long Island Rail Road
LIRR employees will be joined by members of the MTAPD at the following stations throughout the week to promote rail safety to all customers:
- Ronkonkoma: Monday, Sept. 18
- Farmingdale: Tuesday, Sept. 19
- Deer Park: Wednesday, Sept. 20
- Syosset: Thursday, Sept. 21
- Stony Brook: Friday, Sept. 22