Safety is Metra’s number one priority. That's why Metra proactively reinforces the importance of railroad safety through interactions with our region’s schools. Our goal is to work together as a community to support parents and educators as they teach our children that obeying safety laws is a matter of life and death.
In a society where children are besieged by conflicting information and multiple distractions, we need to reinforce safety messages as often as possible. Metra focuses its rail safety efforts on two distinct programs: Operation Lifesaver Train Safety Awareness Program and our annual Safety Poster and Essay Contest. Both programs work to keep safety at the forefront of our children’s minds as they interact with the region’s rail system.
The Operation Lifesaver Train Safety Awareness Program is a comprehensive train safety program that educates children and adults of the dangers of Metra’s at-grade crossings and trespassing along our railroad’s right-of-way.
Metra’s Operation Lifesaver Presenters conduct approximately 950 free presentations annually to children, ranging in ages from pre-school to 18 years, community groups, school bus drivers, professional truck drivers, emergency responders and other organizations throughout our service area. To schedule a presentation, or to find out more, contact Larry Green at 312-735-9735
Metra also encourages young people throughout the region to become directly involved in creating our safety messages through our Safety Poster and Essay Contest. The images and essays created by our region’s children become part of each year’s safety campaign. The program has helped us to create another way to work the safety discussion into our region’s classrooms.