Questions & Answers: Riding METRO

Before you even ride it’s a good idea to look at the schedules and plan your trip. That way, you don’t have to wait long for your bus or train.

As you begin your trip, here are a few best practices:

• Remain alert at all times
• Walk or move with a purpose
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Don’t trust anyone around you
• Don’t flash valuables
• Keep your personal belongings close
• Try to stay in a group or near others

If you’re traveling at night, stay in well-lit areas and stay away from areas with obstructed views.

To identify suspicious behavior, some things you should pay attention to include:

Appearance

• Anyone wearing clothes unsuitable for the time of year
• Anything protruding in an unusual way underneath a person’s clothing

Behavior

• Nervousness, tension, intense sweating, hesitant mumbling
• Walking slowly while glancing right and left, or running in a suspicious manner
• Taking photos of transit operations and equipment without displaying proper credentials

Items

• Electrical wires, switches or electronic devices sticking out of a bag or pocket
• Unattended bags, packages, boxes, backpacks
• Unexplained smoke or odd odors

The best place to ride on a bus is near the front, as close to the operator as possible. Unless you have a disability, please avoid sitting in the priority seating areas for the elderly and people with disabilities, marked by the International Symbol of Access (Wheelchair Symbol).

On a METRO train, we’d recommend you ride in the front car of the train, either directly behind the operator or in the middle of the rail car, closest to the window.

If you’re on a METRO vehicle, report any suspicious package to the operator immediately. On METRORail, use the emergency intercoms located adjacent to each doorway inside the vehicle.

If you’re not on a METRO vehicle, report it to the nearest METRO Police Officer or transit employee immediately. When reporting a package, make sure you leave the area first. You should avoid using your cell phone or anything that emits an electronic signal within 300 feet of the package.

If you’re seriously injured, call 911. If not, you can do any of the following:

• Call or text METRO Police at 713-224-COPS (2677), or #MPD (#673) on your cell phone
• Alert the operator or fare inspector so they can intervene or contact MPD
• Report the incident through the MPD Connect App (Submit a Report button)
• Report the incident through the RideMETRO App (METRO Police section)

Here are a few protective measures:

• Keep your phone close to you at all times
• Enable all security features and create a hard-to-guess PIN or password
• Install or enable apps that can remotely track, lock or erase sensitive data from your device
• Insure your device so the cost of a replacement device is covered

If your phone gets lost or stolen, alert an operator or fare inspector so they can intervene or contact MPD.

You may carry a weapon lawfully if you don’t make it accessible to others.

If you do so:

• Make sure you’re familiar with it
• You should be willing to use it in your defense

Don’t engage (be polite but firm) and don’t give money. Opening your purse or wallet creates an opportunity for robbery.

You can always donate to charities that help the homeless and support that charity’s work.