Metro News Release
For immediate release: May 7, 2009
Metro considers retail, food and beverage sales in rail stations
Kiosks could be in Metro stations by late fall
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| One of several exterior locations Metro is considering as part of a program to begin retail services in rail stations. |
Take-home prepackaged gourmet food, dry-cleaning services and newsstands could all be setting up shop in Metrorail stations as early as late fall.
Metro officials presented the concept last night before the agency’s Rider’s Advisory Council to seek input into the plan. Under the proposal, Metro is seeking a master licensee to operate at least one retail site at a minimum of 12 rail stations for a three-year term with five, one-year options to renew a contract. The agency also would consider proposals from individual businesses. Metro officials will ask the Metro Board for approval to move ahead later this month.
“Retail services in stations could prove to be convenient for customers and financially beneficial for Metro, which is especially important during these tough economic times,” said Metro General Manager John Catoe.
The sites could be permanent structures and kiosks in the paid and free areas of stations, including mezzanines, sidewalks and Kiss & Ride lots.
| Metrorail stations proposed for inclusion in Retail Program |
| District of Columbia: |
| Anacostia (sidewalk) |
| Fort Totten (sidewalk and paid area of station) |
| Gallery Place-Chinatown (paid and free area of station) |
| Metro Center (paid area of station) |
| Virginia: |
| King Street (free area of mezzanine) |
| Rosslyn (free area of mezzanine) |
| Vienna/Fairfax-GMU (paid area of station and short term parking) |
| West Falls Church-VT/UVA (sidewalk) |
| Maryland: |
| Branch Avenue (sidewalk and Kiss & Ride) |
| Glenmont (sidewalk) |
| New Carrollton (sidewalk) |
| Shady Grove (sidewalk) |
| *Stations were chosen based on ridership and space |
Three years ago, Metro sought similar business proposals that did not include the sale of tobacco, food or beverages. The transit agency received only three offers, none of which met Metro’s requirements.
“What we found from surveying businesses and other transit agencies is that it is much more profitable to include the sales of food and beverages,” said Nat Bottigheimer, assistant general manager of planning and joint development. “Other transit agencies that ban eating and drinking in their systems such as Atlanta, San Francisco and Chicago allow the sale of packaged food and beverages. We could do the same, and we are open to proposals.”
The sale of tobacco and alcohol would still be prohibited.
Additional costs such as trash removal and station cleaning would be passed onto the contractor, Bottigheimer said. If approved by the Board, the agency would solicit proposals in June. Metro’s Board would then review the proposals this summer, and if approved, a program could start in late fall.
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Media contact for this news release: Candace Smith or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.
News release issued at 8:20 am, May 7, 2009.