Metro News Release

For immediate release: April 7, 2003

This week in Metro (Monday, April 7, 2007)

Metrorail racks up high ridership on Saturday, April 5, 2003 Friday, April 4, now ranks as 19th highest ridership day ever

On Saturday, April 5, Metrorail scored another high-ridership day when 333,347 people boarded the rail system from 8 a.m. through 2 a.m. the next morning. The bulk of the riders rode Metrorail to travel to the final official Cherry Blossom Festival activity when the Cherry Blossom Parade took place in downtown Washington, DC. That number is approximately 75,000 more riders than the average of the previous two Saturdays. Friday’s ridership soared near 700,000 riders when 694,298 people boarded Metrorail, making that day the 19th highest Metrorail ridership day in its 27-year history. The attraction of the cherry blossoms brought people out in record numbers, even though the weather was less than ideal.On Sunday, ridership was greater than on an average Sunday when 228,901 passengers rode Metrorail, beating the previous Sunday’s ridership by approximately 66,000 passengers. The attraction for these numbers were the weekend’s war-related rally, the nice weather, and the continuing attraction of the cherry blossoms." These are exciting numbers and demonstrate that people find Metrorail one of the best ways to travel to downtown DC and regional events," noted Lem Proctor, Chief Operating Officer for Rail. " Our system is well prepared to provide safe, convenient, and attractive service to our customers on Metrobus as well," said Jack Requa, Chief Operating Officer for Bus. " Both systems make it easy for people to get around in our metropolitan region." Metro ready for weekend’s demonstrators On April 12 and 13, 2003, when demonstrators will be in town for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings and anti-war protests, Metro is prepared to provide the required service to carry regular riders and those who may be new to the system. Metro Transit Police will partner with local jurisdictional police to coordinate the crowds that may be in and around certain Metrorail stations, especially those in the downtown D.C. area. " Our system stands for many of the causes that the IMF demonstrators support " economic development, access to jobs, and care for the environment," stated Metro Transit Police Chief Polly Hanson. " Our system will be ready to handle the numbers of people who will use the system that weekend." Metro recommends that riders take the following steps:Purchase farecards when first entering the rail system Allow extra time to get to your destination, especially in the downtown core. Take extra care of children who may be riding with adults, making sure that they step carefully on and off trains and buses and on and off escalators. Children should never be allowed to sit on escalator steps. If making more than two round trips on the weekend, the $5 one day pass is a bargain. Two children four years and younger can ride free with one fare-paying passenger. Parking is free at all Metro-owned parking facilities on weekends and federal holidays. Upcoming events accessible by MetroApril 26, 2003, 9 a.m., 26th Annual Metrobus Roadeo, at the Landover Bus Division, where operators and mechanics will compete in categories demonstrating their skills on obstacle courses and in troubleshooting for planted mechanical defects.May 3, 2003, 9 a.m., 9th Annual Rail Rodeo and the 2nd Annual Custom Car and Motorcycle Show, at the Greenbelt Rail Yard. Operators and mechanics will demonstrate their rail operating and mechanical skills, while other employees showcase their custom cars and motorcycles.July 8-12, 2003, 32nd Conference of Minority Transportation Officials" National Meeting and Training Conference in Washington, DC; the conference will feature workshops, technical tours, and a youth symposium. Conference planners expect 1,000 attendees at the conference sponsored by Metro and the COMTO Washington, DC, chapter and co-hosted by the Maryland chapter of COMTO. DC Mayor Anthony Williams is the Honorary Chair of the conference.Board committee meetings scheduledOn Thursday, April 10, 2003, the Budget Committee will convene at 11 a.m. in the Meeting Room adjacent to the lobby at Metro headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, NW. To hear a recording about upcoming meetings, date and time changes for meetings, or the results of the last meeting, call 202-962-1055.

News release issued on April 7, 2003.