ATD LINES RAILWAY BUSINESS CAR SERVICES-COACH YARD SERVICES: Amtrak Private Car Notice 5-2005 Safety and Security

Private Car Notice 5-05

Subject:

Safety and Security

Date: August 30, 2005 From: Don Cushine

Private Car Safety

As a private car owner, operator or person-in-charge, you are responsible for the safety of the passengers who are visiting or traveling on your car(s). Recently, I have received several e-mails and phone calls from private car owners and Amtrak officials informing me of incidents that took place regarding private cars. These included crews and passengers being intoxicated in and around railroad facilities, private car individuals working on their cars in un-safe areas and several other very disturbing events.

Fortunately, there were no injuries that resulted from these un-safe acts but believe me, it is only a matter of time before one catches up with us. These events are truly in the minority and most of you are very diligent and safety conscious; for which I am extremely grateful. Remember, it only takes one incident to undo so much good that you have all done in keeping this a safe railroad. We want all of you to have a great experience when you are traveling with us, so please make safety a priority every day. Before each trip, conduct safety briefings with your crew and passengers and be sure to cover the basics such as:

Who knows CPR

Where are the emergency exits

How will you contact the conductor in the event of an emergency

Is there a radio or cell phone at hand to call for emergency assistance

Private Car Security

In the same vein as above, there was a disturbing incident that occurred recently in Oakland. A couple of men were filming cars in the yard and when Amtrak officials approached them to inquire if they were associated with a private car, they hoped in an automobile and sped away without identifying themselves. In light of the incidents in Madrid and London, we all have to be more vigilant when on or near the railroad. Please identify yourself if asked and remind those traveling with you to do the same. Our motto is “See Something, Say Something”.

Effective immediately, please stop at the gate to the yard in Oakland and identify yourself to the security guard prior to going to your car. If you are going on a trip, please provide a list of passengers to the guard on duty, along with a contact person and phone number so that all individuals can be verified. This is for your safety as well as ours.

ADDENDUM 9/01/2005: The private car owners must supply Oakland Mechanical, or the Police/Guards directly, in advance, exactly who by name will be coming through the gate on any particular day or night connected to the private car. This information will be given to the guards so they may cross reference the names given to them with the names on the list to positively identify the individuals entering. They should also provide positive ID if asked. Further, if their name is not on the list or, an accompanying name with this person can not verify them, they will be denied entry.