SANBAG's Rail Safety Campaign Kicks Off

September 1, 2016

San Bernardino – As part of the Downtown San Bernardino Passenger Rail Project, an extension of Metrolink to downtown San Bernardino, SANBAG is launching a comprehensive Rail Safety Campaign (RSC). The project corridor extends one mile from the Santa Fe Depot to the recently completed San Bernardino Transit Center, and is located near several businesses, schools, and residents. Historically, this corridor has been fairly inactive. Following the completion of the extension project, however, approximately 40 Metrolink trains will travel through the area daily.
The safety of the community is of the utmost importance to SANBAG, and the RSC’s primary focus is on highlighting the new rail service and educating the public on the importance of staying alert and practicing safe habits around train tracks at all times. The campaign will provide safety tactics through a variety of engaging methods such as partnering up with Operation Lifesaver and delivering tailored presentations to local schools, including bus drivers that are very near to the train tracks in the project corridor. The campaign also includes a comprehensive business outreach program where safety information will be provided to local business owners so they can share it with their patrons. SANBAG is also taking steps to reach out to more than 20 homeless shelters and non-profits within a one-mile radius of the project to help communicate this safety message to the many people who rely on their services daily.
In observance of Rail Safety Month, San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) is partnering with Operation Lifesaver, Metrolink, and other railroad agencies across the state to encourage everyone to “Be Track Smart,” with a series of events to emphasize the importance of safe behavior near railroad tracks and trains. In recent years, there have been multiple incidents where individuals from across the world have been struck and killed by trains and vehicles while distracted. SANBAG’s message to the community is to “See Tracks, Think Train!”
The “See Tracks, Think Train!” message is part of a national safety education campaign by Operation Lifesaver, Inc., a non-profit organization providing public education programs to prevent collisions, injuries and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and highway-rail grade crossings.
For more safety tips, please visit www.oli.org.