Metro News Release

For immediate release: April 7, 2009

Metrorail prepared to stay open late if hockey tournament ends late

Extra trains will be available after the second game

The Metrorail system is prepared to stay open an extra hour on Thursday night (April 9) to accommodate the crowds attending the NCAA Frozen Four ice hockey tournament at the Verizon Center if the second game of the night ends late.

Thursday evening, April 9, will be crowded in the Metrorail system as sports fans head to the Verizon Center with the first ice hockey game beginning at 5 p.m., followed by the second game, which is expected to start at 8:30 p.m.

If the second game concludes shortly before or after midnight, Metro will remain open until 1 a.m. into Friday, April 10, and Metro will use a combination of six-car and eight-car trains for fans traveling home from the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station on the Red, Yellow and Green lines.

To avoid the large crowd expected at the 7th and F Street entrance of the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station, fans going to the ice hockey games at the Verizon Center should use the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station entrances at 9th and G Street, NW, and 7th and H Street, NW, or to use the Judiciary Square Metrorail station at 5th and F Street, NW.

Metro reminds customers that parking at any Metro parking facility requires a SmarTrip® card to exit. Those without a SmarTrip® card can buy one at a Metrorail station for $10. The card itself costs $5 and has a value of $5.

For more information on riding Metrorail or Metrobus, call 202-637-7000, TTY at 202-638-3780, or visit Metro’s Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com.

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News release issued at 9:11 am, April 7, 2009.