Meeting: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 @ 6:38 p.m.

[Transit Coalition]

Hello Southland Transit Supporters:

Have you ever wanted to know about Metrolink from the top down? Why are some things done
and other things not done? We have the new Agency CEO to present his point on how he is
running the Authority. He has moved quickly in the month since he has arrived. He has
reorganized the organization, so there is a customer first focus. He has ordered diesel engines
be shut down rather than idling at terminals to save on fuel and cut down on particulate emissions.
What is next in his bag of projects? Oh, there are so many questions. And here is your chance
to learn, listen and get some answers. Our speaker John E. Fenton may not answer every question,
you'll learn a lot about the way Metrolink will be operating. Find out first hand, by joining us.

First @ 6:55 p.m. we will have introductions and go over some of the latest transit developments.
At 7:05 p.m, we will start the Metrolink program, so make a goal to be there at the start at 6:45 p.m.
John will speak and answer questions until 8:10 p.m. and then we will cover the business of other
transit activities in Southern CA.

This is your Open Invitation from The Transit Coalition to join us for our Tuesday, May 25, 2010 meeting
at Philippe the Original restaurant in China Town from 6:38 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. At this gathering, we will
discuss current transportation developments and present a recap of the other transit-related projects
underway throughout Southern California.

There will be other reports at the meeting such as Metrolink and Metro and the 30/10 Plan, as well as a
review of cuts to transit and state and urban rail service. Also, we will talk about Expo and the Farmdale
PUC hearing this coming Tuesday, June 1 and some other projects such as the Connector and Crenshaw.

To attend, go to our map, if you need directions. We generally gather downstairs by the cash register,
then retire to the meeting rooms upstairs. Do not be fooled by the signs that say the meeting rooms are
closed, as they don't apply to us. If you have trouble locating the meeting, call 818-367-1661.

Pass the word. If you or anyone is interested, get them there Tuesday, May 25. Also, note: RSVP.
If we know you are coming, we will look for you, so you don't stay lost from us. Note: If you want to
get the an e-mail meeting reminder directly, write and you can get on the list for future events.

To make reservations, write us. Subject: Dinner Reservation Just leave your first/last name, e-mail
and phone number. Please pass this e-mail along to anyone who might be interested in joining us.
Call if you have any questions.

Thanks, Bart Reed

About The Transit Coalition: The Transit Coalition is a 501[c](3) non-profit whose goal is to increase
Transit Options and Mobility in Southern California by mobilizing citizens to press for sensible public
policy to grow our bus and rail network. Þ--Þ--Þ

[jeisenbe]

Would someone be willing to write up a post detailing what Mr Fenton says tonight? I can't make it to the meeting.

[jeisenbe]

May 25, 2010 10:57:42 GMT -8 jeisenbe said:

Would someone be willing to write up a post detailing what Mr Fenton says tonight? I can't make it to the meeting.

Thanks LAist!

laist.com/2010/05/27/bart_reed_was_impressed_with.php

By Zach Behrens in News on May 27, 2010 10:00 AM

"Metrolink's New CEO Wants to Make Commuter Rail an Experience that will 'Wow' You


john-fenton-metrolink-ceo.jpg
Metrolink CEO John Fenton speaks at a Transit Coalition Meeting at Phillippe's in Chinatown | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist

Metrolink's new CEO, John Fenton, is not a politician. He's a businessman to the core. And one with standards: efficiency, safety, the environment and serving people. Sure, he has vision for the commuter rail line, such as extending night service so people can use the train after Dodgers and Angeles games, but he also has a firm grasp of the economic reality behind those fun ideas -- every government agency is clamping down on spending.

So what did the no-nonsense Fenton do within the first few days on the job? He instituted a simple policy that will save the agency an estimated $3 to $4 million a year. He noticed that engineers let trains run idle between routes, which to him was a big waste of money, and not to mention the pollution. So a new shut down policy was put in place and within two weeks, 93,000 gallons of gas were saved. "That's real money," he told a crowd at the Transit Coalition's monthly meeting on Tuesday night. "It's financially responsible and environmentally responsible."

<MAP>

Metrolink runs service to six counties: L.A., Ventura, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. Download the full PDF version of this map here: www.metrolinktrains.com/documents/Stations/MetrolinkMap.pdf.

For Fenton, his job is also about changing the culture at Metrolink to be about the people they serve. During one of his first conference calls with upper management, he told them to hold on. He then sat there in silence for three minutes without any explanation. He then started talking again, explaining that he wanted them to feel what it is like to have a delay and have no idea what's going on -- typical transit experience, right? "That's not acceptable," said Fenton, who wants to focuses on what's right for the passengers.

"When you forget about the human element, you're going to fail," he continued. "We've got to create an experience where the customer says 'wow, I want to ride that.' Metrolink must be reliable and predictable."

Fenton, a USC graduate wit an extensive background in the freight train industry -- Metrolink is his 18th job -- believes that you have to manage detail in the transportation business. One of the best ways is to move performance by managing the bottom, not the top. One example is going after the worst train route for on-time performance on the map. The Antelope Valley Line, which serves downtown, Burbank, Glendale, the northeast Valley, Santa Clarita and the high desert, is the worst performing line in the system at 89%. "I was running box cars better than this," Fenton was quick to say in his Southern accent.

"The difference between freight and passenger [trains] is that you're hauling people, and that is the ultimate responsibility in my opinion," he explained. What Fenton wants is customer engagement, where a core group of employees focus on passenger needs, customer service and the challenge of growing ridership. He wants to create a customer advocacy group and hold listening sessions between himself and passengers to hear their gripes.

john-fenton-metrolink.jpg
Photos by Zach Behrens/LAist
But part of making the customers happy is keeping a budget solvent and then growing it by saving money and smart capital projects. "If I can reduce operating cost, I don't have to increase fares. How do I make an investment that reduces my cost structure?"


Safety is another of Fenton's top priorities and Metrolink is the cause célèbre that has driven new national safety discussions and actions over the last couple years. Chatsworth "was the epicenter of change in the railroad industry," he said of the 2008 crash that killed 25 people and injured 125. "Not locally, nationally. Look at what happened from that one event."

While new safety technologies and laws are being deployed, Fenton knows that's only part of the solution. "You can have the latest technology, but you've got to have operators to operate those trains."

It's only been about six weeks since Fenton started the job, but he's already turning heads. The Transit Coalition's Executive Director Bart Reed said he was impressed at how he was already re-organizing Metrolink within the first few weeks. If Fenton keeps his short, but impactful run, the commuter rail agency is going to be a very different behemoth in a couple of years. L.A. should just hope that it gets to keep him around long enough to make those changes."