Metro News Release
For immediate release: April 10, 2009
Take Metro to cheer for the Nationals this season
Extra trains available after games
Don’t miss a single pitch, home run, or stolen base this season when you take Metro to Nationals games during the 2009 season.
Metrorail will have extra trains to help fans get to and from all home games. In addition, the expanded west entrance of the Navy Yard Metrorail station is just one block from the ball park.
Opening Day, Monday, April 13
On Monday, April 13, the regular season home opener for the Washington Nationals, Metro will start afternoon rush hour service at 1 p.m., a full two hours before the start of the baseball game. Metro expects to carry about 20,000 people to and from Nationals Park for the 3:05 p.m. game against the Philadelphia Phillies. With the game expected to conclude between 6 and 7 p.m., Metro will be operating rush hour service on all rail lines to accommodate the crowds.
Metro reminds everyone attending Monday’s home opener to expect large crowds at the Navy Yard Metrorail station, and the two main transfer stations to the Green Line, Gallery Place-Chinatown and L’Enfant Plaza. Metro will have personnel and Transit Police at all three stations.
Following the game, Metro volunteers sporting Nationals gear will be at the Navy Yard Metrorail station to remind patrons to check their SmarTrip card or farecard to ensure they have enough money to enter or exit the Metrorail system.
Navy Yard Metrorail Station
Metro is the best way to get to Nationals Park because of the convenience of the Navy Yard Metrorail station. The station’s expanded west entrance can accommodate up to 15,000 people per hour.
On game days, the west entrance will be exit-only as conditions warrant before games, and entrance-only after games. During games, the Navy Yard east entrance should be used by people traveling in the opposite direction of the crowds.
To watch crowds leaving or entering the Navy Yard Metrorail station, click on http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=clarkconstruction/55mt
Bus Service to Nationals Park
The following Metrobuses serve Nationals Park: the 70, P1, P2, V7, V8, and V9. Additionally, the District of Columbia Circulator will provide extended service on game days between Union Station and the Navy Yard Metrorail station. For more information on Metrobus service to Nationals Park, visit www.wmata.com/nationals. For more information on DC Circulator service to Nationals Park, visit www.dccirculator.com.
Extra train service after the game
At the conclusion of games, Metro will have extra trains available to get fans home from Nationals Park. Extra personnel and Transit Police officers will be stationed at the Navy Yard Metrorail station to assist riders and provide directions about how to get from the ballpark.
Metro has free brochures that provide walking directions to Nationals Park from the Navy Yard Metrorail station, as well as information on Metrobus service and parking. The free brochure is available in stations and on Metro’s Web site at www.wmata.com/nationals.
Parking is free at Metrorail stations on weekends and federal holidays. On weekdays, riders must have a SmarTrip card to pay for parking at all but six Metrorail parking facilities. Customers can pay the daily parking fee with a major credit card or SmarTrip card at the Anacostia, Franconia-Springfield, Largo Town Center, Vienna/Fairfax-GMU, Shady Grove and New Carrollton. Customers can use their Discover, Mastercard, Visa, American Express or Japanese Credit Bank cards at these locations.
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Media contact for this news release: Steven Taubenkibel or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.
News release issued at 8:59 am, April 10, 2009.