January 22,
2004CONTACT:
Rick Jager/Marc Littman
MTA MEDIA RELATIONS
(213) 922-2707/922-2700
www.metro.net/press/pressroom
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22,
2004
CONTACT:
Rick Jager/Marc Littman
MTA MEDIA RELATIONS
(213) 922-2707/922-2700
www.metro.net/press/pressroom
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MTA Board Approves New Cleanliness Policy to Combat Graffiti and Vandalism
The MTA
Board of Directors today approved a new MTA Cleanliness Policy, providing the
agency with its first formal policy on their commitment in preventing graffiti
and promoting its eradication for the purpose of preserving Metro facilities and
vehicles.
"Today's
Board action underscores the MTA's commitment to be a regional leader on this
issue by aggressively stamping out all forms of graffiti and vandalism and
protecting our bus and rail vehicles, rail stations, bus stops and facilities
for the comfort and safety of our passengers," said MTA Board Chairman Zev
Yaroslavsky.
The
purpose of the new Cleanliness Policy is to improve Metro customers' quality
of life on the transit system by augmenting current processes to further reduce
and more expeditiously remove the effects of vandalism on bus and rail vehicles,
rail stations, bus stops and other Metro facilities.
At the
urging of MTA Board Member and LA City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, a
taskforce was formed to make recommendations in the development of the
Cleanliness Policy.
As part
of the policy, MTA will maintain a high, measurable level of cleanliness for all
its property and will create programs that target utilization of new equipment
that is revolutionary, results oriented, and be clearly measurable and offer the
greatest opportunity for sustaining improvement.
In
addition, staff will develop a comprehensive set of operating and cleanliness
procedures, processes and measurement criteria to ensure compliance with the
cleanliness policy.
MTA also
will establish a stringent vehicle inspection rating for the bus and rail fleet
and will continue to encourage cooperative working relationships with its law
enforcement partner, community, schools, business owners and other public
entities to help prevent and remove graffiti as quickly as possible.
Staff
will report back to the MTA Board at its February meeting with recommendations
to implement a new anti-graffiti and vandalism program called the Metro Clean
Program.
MTA-010