METRO Matters
Welcome to METRO Matters - our new mini-talk show that introduces you to newsmakers around METRO.
This show is another way we’re communicating with you, informing you of some of the new things we’re doing and projects we’re working on.
The show will air on Houston Media Source’s cable access channels. If you subscribe to Comcast, it will air on Channel 17. You can also watch it on our Web site or on You Tube. You can also download a podcast video of it on your iPod.
We plan to produce a new episode every month, which will air eight to 12 times in a 30-day period. Enjoy!
Keeping Kids Safe During Construction (12.11.08)
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Construction is underway on the East End line – one of five light-rail lines we are building.
And during this construction, we want to make sure we keep kids safe.
We have been conducting an innovative school safety program at the HISD schools that uses everything from songs to cartoon characters to teach students about rail safety.
Mike Martinez, METRO’s manager of stakeholder affairs of corporate programs, explains more on our latest edition of METRO Matters.
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Watch it on Comcast’s Channel 17 at the following times:
Sat. 12/13/08 3:45 p.m.
Mon. 12/15/08 8:20 p.m.
Wed. 12/17/08 8:30 p.m.
Fri. 12/19/08 8:30 p.m.
Sat. 12/20/08 3:00 p.m.
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Tue. 12/23/08 6:30 p.m.
Thur. 12/25/08 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 12/27/08 9:00 p.m.
Wed. 12/31/08 8:30 p.m
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Need a Ride to the Airport? Take Airport Direct (11.7.08)
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Our eighth edition of METRO Matters tells you of a new way to get to the airport. It’s fast, convenient, competitively priced – and even comes with a concierge service.
It’s METRO’s Airport Direct. Dubbed 30-30-30, the service runs from downtown at Pierce & Travis every 30 minutes, delivers you to IAH/Terminal C in 30 minutes and costs $30 round trip.
Click the link below to see a preview of Tony D’Amico, associate vice president at METRO, explain more.
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Riding the Rail Safely (10.7.08)
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Light-rail trains are the safest form of motorized transit – but METRO is always looking for more ways to make our trains safer.
They’re fast, they’re quiet – and they take the length of two football fields to stop.
This edition of METRO Matters features Reggie Mason, associate vice president of system safety, who tells us about some innovative things METRO is doing to make it safer for both drivers and pedestrians.
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The Ins and Outs of Building Light Rail (8.30.08)
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Our sixth edition of METRO Matters features Jim Cody, senior director of construction, who gives us details on exactly how we're building the five light-rail lines.
Instead of the disruptive process that occurred when METRO built the Red Line on Main Street, this time we are planning to go in and complete a section at a time.
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Diversity Counts (7.25.08)
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Good companies underestand the importance of diversity and the value that brings to the work force. Helen Cavazos, METRO's vice president of human resources and diversity, was recently awarded the "Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award" by the Texas Diversity Council. She talks about why it's important for METRO to be diverse while hiring the best people for the job.
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Going Green with Hybrids (6.25.08)
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Our fourth episode of METRO Matters features Andrew Skabowski, senior director of bus maintenance/operations, who talks about how we’re going green in the suburbs with our new MCI commuter coaches.
This summer we road-tested one of the new commuter coaches, and the most common comment from drivers? Passengers said the bus was so quiet they were sleeping right through their stops. Look for these on the road by late August.
Not only do these hybrid coaches offer a comfortable ride, they’re also kind to the environment. The D4500 CT model uses the newest low-emission, clean-diesel engine technology from Cummins, along with the Allison electric drive propulsion system.
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Don’t Mess with the Dogs (6.3.08 - 6.21.08)
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Call them an elite force within our METRO Police Department. They are loyal, well-trained, masterfully strong, and lightning quick. And they eat raw food.
They are our K-9 police dogs who are trained to either sniff out drugs or track explosives. Our trainer and founder of the K-9 program is Officer John Ivey, featured on our third episode of METRO Matters.
Meet Rudy, a very smart – but potentially fierce Belgian Melinois – who is all business when it comes to chasing suspects.
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METRO Q® Fare Card Rollout (5.3.08 - 6.2.08)
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The show features Erik Oistad, chief information officer and vice president at METRO, who tells us how METRO accomplished what no one in the transit industry has done before: simultaneously change its fare structure and introduce a smart technology card for fare payment.
Find out how we’re doing with the METRO Q® Fare Card, where to get one if you haven’t picked yours up yet – and why it’s important to register the Card.
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CEO & President Gives Progress Report (3.31.08 - 4.24.08)
