Transportation & Goods Movement Council hears updates from Metrolink and Metro

by Center for Business Advocacy

The Chamber’s Transportation & Goods Movement Council was joined by Metrolink’s new CEO Stephanie Wiggins and Metro’s Dr. Joshua Schank. As the new CEO of Metrolink, Wiggins held an engaging conversation with members to discuss her vision for Metrolink in the next five years, and the changes she plans to bring to the organization. At top of the list, Wiggins discussed shifting Metrolink to a customer-first orientation. The change includes addressing safety and security, integrated systems, modernizing business practices and increasing frequency and reliability. She also discussed the added efficiency Metrolink has realized since positive train control’s implementation and areas the organization can collaborate with the private sector, including providing wifi on trains.

Dr. Schank provided an update about Metro’s Mobility-on-Demand pilot. The pilot is a public-private partnership with Via to see what the potential benefits of linking TNCs to transit stations may be. Metro is testing the concept at three different stations: North Hollywood, El Monte and Artesia. The iterative nature of the pilot has allowed Via to expand its service area at each station and include new anchor stations within the zones. Dr. Schank explained that the pilot ends in January 2020, and that Metro’s Board may choose to extend the pilot another year. SEE THE PHOTOS.