Phoenix Valley Metro Creates Safety App for Riders

Phoenix Valley Metro Creates Safety App for Riders

When a rider uses the app or a text to report a non-emergency security incident, the operations center alerts security staff so they can find the corresponding train and respond to the report.

The Valley Metro in Phoenix, Ariz., has created an app to allow people to contact security while riding. The app is free to use on both Apple and Android devices, and riders who don’t have access to apps can report incidents by texting 602-253-7886, according to CEO Scott Smith.

When a rider uses the app or a text to report a non-emergency security incident, the operations center alerts security staff so they can find the corresponding train and respond to the report.

Smith said the app should be used for situations that are not urgent enough for a 911 call; for example, an unruly drunk passenger. According to the Valley Metro website, riders can also use the service to report human trafficking, maintenance problems, suspicious packages, vandalism and panhandling.

“It could be something as simple as a spilled drink that’s created a mess in the car,” Smith said.

The reporting service, via both text and app, are currently only available for use on the light rail.

“Right now we’re just using it on rail. We’re starting out there to see how it works and test the system on smaller scale, but we hope to be able to expand it to bus in the near future,” Smith said.

Smith believes the app will help improve the experience of Valley Metro riders.

“Our goal and objective is to make everybody have a safe and comfortable ride on our light-rail system,” Smith said.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.