Los Angeles County MTA Tests Segway HTs.(Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority, Human Transporters)(Brief Article)

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) recently announced that security patrol officers at "key" MTA transit stations and facilities have begun testing the use of Segway Human Transporters (HTs) during their security patrols. According to MTA, the officers "will be able to better monitor sites and increase their visibility" while operating the HTs.
During the six-month study of the HTs, MTA said it is, together with the Los Angeles sheriff's and police departments, placing the electric scooters into service at Union Station, the Rosa Parks Metro Rail Station and MTA's Regional Rebuild Center (RRC). Simultaneously, MTA said it will evaluate the impact of public use of the HTs on the agency's bus and rail lines.
"MTA actively strives to lead the nation in innovative public transportation solutions," said MTA chief executive officer Roger Snoble. "Personal mobility devices will surely play a part in our transportation future, and we want to be among the first evaluating these technologies."
MTA said the pilot project is part of its Transportation Demand Management program, which "initiates projects aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving efficiency for transit users."
"Security officers will be hard to miss," said MTA transportation planning manager Robin Blair. "When trying to deter crime, the more visible you are as an officer, the better. One officer with a Segway HT could do the work of three officers on foot. The potential cost-savings would be substantial."