Metro News Release
For immediate release: January 8, 2009
Metro announces special Inauguration Metrobus service
Passengers can buy $5 one-day bus pass on Inauguration Day
Metro is running 23 special rapid bus corridors to carry thousands of people heading to the National Mall on Inauguration Day.
Metro plans to extend its rush-hour bus service from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m. via the 23 “Presidential” corridors on January 20. The buses are planned to arrive at regularly marked stops every 10 minutes or less along 23 bus routes throughout the day to and from the National Mall. Metro planners say 22 regular bus routes are being detoured by the Inauguration due to street closures and to accommodate incoming crowds. Metro bus riders also can take a special cross town connector bus shuttle, from North Capitol Street to Washington Circle that will get them around the Inauguration events January 20.
“Taking Metrobus is a good option for people who are located beyond a two-to- three mile walking distance to the National Mall, because they may not be able to get on a crowded Metro train in or just outside the District of Columbia,” said John Catoe, Metro General Manager.
Metrobuses will be able to cross bridges closed to other traffic, will be permitted on roads closed to automobiles and will run bus-only through Georgetown from Wisconsin Avenue to Washington Circle bypassing regular traffic.
Metro also is selling a special one-day Inauguration bus pass only on January 20. Bus passengers can purchase the $5 pass when they board a bus and receive the pass from operators, good for riding all day. Metro riders can still pay the full $1.35 cash one-way fare or pay $1.25 with a SmarTrip card.
“The passes will speed boarding after inaugural events. All passengers have to do is show the pass to the bus driver to get on board,” Catoe said.
Metro is running a special shuttle service from RFK Stadium to L’Enfant Plaza. The District of Columbia will reimburse Metro to shuttle charter bus passengers for free to and from the stadium. The transit agency also is adding bus service to and from the Baltimore Washington and Dulles International Airports.
Inauguration bus and rail service and a walking map are detailed in a free commemorative guide available this week in Metro stations and online at www.wmata.com/getting_around/metro_events/inauguration_walking_map.pdf. The maps will be available in buses and additional personnel will be stationed at busy bus stops to assist riders. Metro riders also can find information about regular Metrobus routes that may detoured during Inauguration weekend at www.wmata.com/bus/. Metro also has a listing of planned bus detours at http://www.wmata.com/bus/metrobus_detours_new.cfm.
“We encourage people who want to take the bus to use the commemorative guide, regular bus route information and to sign up for e-alerts about service delays on our Web site,” said Catoe.
Metro also offers special e-alerts, dedicated to the Inauguration. People can sign up at http://www.wmata.com/inauguration. E-alerts will be issued when Metro has news relating to service throughout Inauguration weekend.
See the list of inauguration bus corridors. Map of bus corridors
News release issued at 5:24 pm, January 8, 2009.