ARIZONA NEWS

Valley Metro mulling crackdown on bad behavior on Phoenix light rail

Oct 16, 2017, 1:25 PM

(Facebook Photo)...

(Facebook Photo)

(Facebook Photo)

PHOENIX — People who cause a disturbance while riding the light rail could soon find themselves sitting on the curb, forced to find another way around the city, Valley Metro said.

The agency’s CEO, Scott Smith, said the new Respect the Ride campaign will remove troublemakers from the train.

“You can be obnoxious, boisterous — you can make people feel really uncomfortable — and, under our current set of rules, we don’t remove you from the system,” he said.

Smith said Valley Metro decided changes were needed after getting some negative feedback.

“The perception of light rail as a safe transportation has suffered and we hear it a lot,” he said.

Smith said the program will use a combination of education and enforcement on the platforms to keep those would could be a problem off the rails.

“We’ll be able to head off problems before they get on the train,” he said.

Smith said the goal was to ensure everyone feels more comfortable and has a smooth trip.

“We’re tightening down a little bit and trying to make sure small irritants and small events don’t escalate into bigger events,” he said.

With the new rules, guards can remove riders for loud or obnoxious antics.

“Under this new rule, we can ban that person, not because of what they said but how they said it and the fact that they made people feel threatened,” Smith said.

Valley Metro will also prohibit people from riding the train all day without exiting. Security guards will be able to remove people who purchase an all-day pass just to sleep on the train, Smith said.

The new rules will be put into place in the next three months if the board of directors gives approval this week.

KTAR News’ Nailea Leon and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Karrin Taylor Robson...

Kevin Stone

Karrin Taylor Robson announces 2nd run for governor of Arizona

Karrin Taylor Robson, who unsuccessfully ran for governor of Arizona in 2022, announced Wednesday she is running again in 2026.

1 hour ago

Phoenix police officers shot and killed a suspect near Williams Field and and Higley roads in Gilbe...

KTAR.com

Man killed in overnight shooting involving Phoenix police officers in Gilbert

A man was killed in an overnight shooting involving Phoenix police officers in Gilbert, authorities said Wednesday morning.

2 hours ago

A Scottsdale estate with a Jordan shoe display and a full basketball gym was listed for $23.5 milli...

Kevin Stone

Furnished Scottsdale estate with basketball gym, Jordan sneaker display listed for $23.5M

A basketball lover’s dream home is on the market in north Scottsdale, but you better have plenty of space under your salary cap if you want to buy it.

3 hours ago

Uranium mining...

Kevin Stone

Arizona GOP leader wants Trump administration to remove uranium mining restrictions

Arizona's Republican Senate president is hoping the Trump administration will undo actions by former presidents that curtail uranium mining in the state.

4 hours ago

56 trees growing into power lines to be removed in 2 cities...

Serena O'Sullivan

SRP to remove 56 trees growing too close to power lines in Chandler, Apache Junction

The Salt River Project (SRP) is teaming up with the cities of Chandler and Apache Junction to remove 56 trees growing into power lines.

4 hours ago

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approv...

David Veenstra

2 state employees convicted of receiving bribes

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approve unemployment insurance claims.

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

Valley Metro mulling crackdown on bad behavior on Phoenix light rail