Valley Metro expands 'Safe Place' program at 4 new light rail stations
Valley Metro’s partnership with Safe Place began in 2013. Teens that are homeless, have left their homes because of abuse or neglect, or have been asked to leave by parents or guardians can seek help at any light rail station 24-hours a day.
Through a partnership with Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development, Phoenix’s Valley Metro designated four new light rail stations in central Mesa as safe places for teens that are homeless or wandering the streets with nowhere to turn.
“With the extension of light rail into central Mesa, Valley Metro is extending its commitment to the community through Safe Place,” said Valley Metro CEO Steve Banta. “Light rail stations are a community asset that is designed to provide a safe space for everyone, most notably our youth.”
Ad Loading...
Two vulnerable teenagers recently received the assistance they needed at light rail stations in Phoenix. A 16-year-old Nevada runaway received much-needed help from a Valley Metro security officer. The pair called Safe Place from the light rail station at Thomas and Central, where the frightened teen connected with Tumbleweed and received support in less than one hour. The second teen connected to Safe Place through the emergency call box.
Valley Metro’s partnership with Safe Place began in 2013. Teens that are homeless, have left their homes because of abuse or neglect, or have been asked to leave by parents or guardians can seek help at any light rail station 24-hours a day.
With the opening of the Central Mesa light rail extension on August 22, a total of 32 light rail stations now serve as safe places. An additional three light rail stations will be designated Safe Place contact spots when the Northwest Extension opens in spring 2016.
Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.
The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
With more than 59,400,000 boardings since the service’s debut, the A Line’s utilization surpassed that of all other RTD rail services in 2025, the agency reported.
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
