Metro News Release

For immediate release: December 19, 2007

Metro Launches New Effort on No Eating and No Drinking Laws

Nobody wants rats and roaches running around. Metro included.

Metro has launched a new outreach effort to remind customers that it is illegal to eat or drink in the Metro system. New signs are being posted in Metrorail stations and on trains this week.

The new signs depict a rat asking, “You gonna eat that?” The ad informs customers that Metro does not have rats roaming around because of its strict policy of about no eating and drinking. The ad also asks customers help to keep the critters away by not eating or drinking on Metro.

“I believe it to be every customer’s responsibility to care for the Metro system by adhering to the rules of no eating and drinking. However, I find it very common to see people leaving their morning or afternoon snack wrapper on the train,” said John Catoe, Metro’s General Manager. “Our laws that prohibit eating, drinking and spitting are needed to operate a clean, safe system,” he added.

Signs have also been posted in Metrorail station mezzanines. The signs clearly state the no eating and drinking law and that fines up to $100. System announcements are also being broadcasted to remind people not to eat or drink in the system.

News release issued at 12:00 am, December 19, 2007.