Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 14, 2003

Metro ready to handle crowds attending 2003 Andrews Air Force Base Open House and Air Show

Free shuttle bus service from Branch Avenue and FedEx Field

To avoid long lines, customers should purchase a one-day pass or round-trip farecard

For the second consecutive year, Metro is preparing to move thousands of peopleexpected to attend the Andrews Air Force Base Open House and Air Show onSaturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18. The Open House and Air Show is scheduledfrom 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To accommodate the number of attendees expected to useMetrorail, free shuttle bus service will be available from Metro’s Branch Avenuestation on the Green Line, and from FedEX Field for those parking at that site, toAndrews Air Force Base.

This weekend, all trains on the Green Line will operate with six cars, and Metro willhave extra trains ready to go into service if necessary. To assist customers, Metro willhave extra personnel at high volume stations along the Green Line, including BranchAvenue. Also, 350 Metrobuses will be available to provide free shuttle service fromBranch Avenue and FedEX Field.

“Metro has been working very closely with the Department of Defense, the MarylandDepartment of Transportation, Maryland State Police, and Prince George’s CountyPolice to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for everyone using Metro to attendthe Andrews Air Force Base Air Show,” stated Lem Proctor, Metro’s ChiefOperating Officer for Rail.

“People who wish to attend this event and use Metrorail are strongly encouraged topurchase a $5 One-Day Pass or a round-trip farecard at the Metro station they firstenter. That will greatly help reduce long lines at key stations on the Green Line,especially at Branch Avenue for the return trip home,” said Mr. Proctor.

Organizers are expecting up to 200,000 attendees. Metrorail provides approximately250,000 trips on an average Saturday when there is no special event. (The largestnumber of people ever carried in the system was 811,257 passengers for PresidentClinton’s first inauguration on January 20, 1993. The largest Saturday crowd onMetrorail was 786,358 for Desert Storm on June 8, 1991.)

People attending the Air Show are reminded of these travel tips:

  • Customers are strongly encouraged to purchase the $5 One-Day Pass or a round-trip farecard to and from the Branch Avenue station when first entering the Metrorail system to avoid long lines on the return trip.
  • Coolers, large bags, food and drink items will not be permitted on the Base or in the Metrorail system. Metro will not hold these items for customers.
  • Buses entering Andrews Air Force Base will stop running at 2 p.m. from FedEX Field and 2:15 p.m. from Branch Avenue in preparation for the 2:30 p.m. Blue Angels performance.
  • Take care when using Metro, especially if traveling with children. Decide beforehand where you and your children will meet if you are separated. If they become lost, instruct children to seek a uniformed Metrorail employee or police officer.
  • Watch your step on and off Metrobuses, Metrorail trains, and escalators. Hold the escalator handrail and do not sit on the steps of the escalator.
  • If traveling with infants in strollers, use the elevators.
  • The standard prohibition against eating, drinking, spitting, smoking, etc., in stations and on board buses and trains will be in effect. People are reminded that, for safety reasons, persons with bare feet are not allowed in the system.
  • Parking at Metro-owned-and-operated lots is free on weekends.

Customers are encouraged to call Metro for more information about riding Metrobusor Metrorail at (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780.

News release issued on May 14, 2003.