Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITEE
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 24, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: METRO TRANSIT WATCH APP UPDATE
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE an update on the Metro Transit Watch app in response to Motion 46 (Attachment A).
Issue
ISSUE
At its July 2024 meeting, the Board approved Motion 46 by Directors Hahn, Barger, Horvath, Najarian, Butts, and Yaroslavsky, directing staff to report back in October 2024 on efforts to improve and/or replace the Metro Transit Watch App, including ways to: increase awareness of and access to the app on Metro buses and trains, improve user-friendliness for a more intuitive app; and elevate elements of the app relating to rider experience like cleanliness, graffiti, and other concerns that extend beyond public safety.
Background
BACKGROUND
Many large cities nationwide, including Los Angeles, are confronting an increase in the severity and frequency of transit crimes experienced by customers and employees compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Available for all smartphone devices, the Transit Watch application is a critical component of Metro's efforts to enhance the system's safety and security. It provides passengers with an accessible and direct line of communication to report security incidents, suspicious activities, safety concerns, and maintenance issues directly to Metro. The app is also the tool Metro's transit ambassadors use to report issues on the system, which means operations, maintenance and safety departments can see the majority of issues reporting in one place, which means they can dispatch the necessary staff to address the issue more quickly. The reporting process is comprehensive, allowing users to report incidents categorically, provide descriptions, specify locations, and timestamp reports. Additionally, users have the option to securely attach photos and provide personal information that can be used t...
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