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Metro: Surveys Show Sexual Harassment Continues To Decline On Buses, Trains

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Sexual harassment on Metro buses and trains continues to decline, officials said Friday.

Passenger surveys released by Metro officials Thursday showed the number of passengers who said they had experienced sexual harassment was 18 percent, which is down from 19 percent in October 2015.

"Safety is Metro's highest priority and it is gratifying to see the results of our heightened efforts to train, educate and engage law enforcement and passengers on how we all must do our part to improve the safety of the system," Metro board chairman and county Supervisory Mark Ridley-Thomas said. "We will not rest our laurels, but instead redouble our efforts to enhance the positive experience for our riders."

The surveys, which studied 15,000 riders in March, also revealed 88 percent said they were satisfied or very satisfied with Metro service.

Eighty-five percent of passengers said they felt safe while waiting for transit and 88 percent felt safe while riding.

In 2014, Metro announced an "It's Off Limits" anti-sexual harassment campaign in response to a survey that found 22 percent of passengers experienced harassment.

Metro officials enhanced safety efforts in April by placing ads on 2,200 buses and 285 rail cars.

The agency also posted an updated anti-harassment video on its website and social media accounts.

Riders can report sexual harassment using the smartphone app LA Metro Transit Watch and by pressing an emergency call button on Metro rail cars.

Incidents may also be reported by calling (888) 950-7233 or 911.

(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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