Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 12, 2003

This Week at Metro (June 16, 2003)

This Week at Metro (June 16, 2003)

Chris Zimmerman Presented with the Virginia Transit Association Award

Chris Zimmerman, immediate past president of the WMATA Board of Directors, was presented with a Virginia Transit Association (VTA) Award in late May during a ceremony at the Richmond Omni Hotel. VTA presented Mr. Zimmerman with the "Outstanding Contributions by a Public Official" Award to recognize his vision, leadership, and untiring efforts on behalf of promoting public transportation in the Metropolitan region. J. Kenneth Klinge, Commonwealth Transportation Board Member of the Northern Virginia District, also received this award.

Metro and Mystics Partnership to Benefit Metro Customers

Metro and the Mystics Basketball Team have launched a partnership to benefit those attending Mystics games at MCI Center: Metro customers riding bus or rail to games at the MCI center can show their farecards, SmarTrip, or bus transfers to receive a $3 discount off upper-level tickets to Tuesday and Thursday home games.To promote this dollars-off deal, Mystics ads on this deal have been placed on Metrobuses and Metrorail trains.

Metro Employees Raise Largest Amount Ever for the Komen National Race for the Cure

For this year’s Komen National Race for the Cure, Metro employees contributed $23,675 in actual funds, and an additional $6,208.50 in donations, exceeding the largest donated amount in any of the six prior years of participation.

Metro Transit Police Department’s Expert Detective on Prevention of Pickpocket/Identity Theft to Be on the Montel Williams Show

Metro Transit Police Detective Cedric Mitchell, the department’s expert on pickpocket/identity theft prevention and intervention, will be a guest on the Montel Williams Show on CBS-TV 9. He taped his appearance on the show last week, and the show is expected to air when the new fall season begins in September. Det. Mitchell discussed personal security issues, especially those dealing with how people protect themselves from the crime of pickpocket and identity theft, what law enforcement agencies describe as the fastest growing crime in the United States. In addition to training Metro Transit Police officers on how to detect and prevent this crime, he also trains officers from other regional and national law enforcement agencies, and has been the focus of numerous media articles and stories about this crime. He was also featured on ABC’s "Good Morning America" last year.

Upcoming Events Accessible by Metro

  • June 13-15, the 22nd Annual Alexandria Waterfront Festival, with free shuttle service from the Eisenhower Avenue and King Street Metrorail stations every 20 minutes; if attendees show a Metro farecard or SmarTrip card, they will each receive $1 off the price of admission at the gates.
  • June 22, 2003, 4 p.m., Washington Freedom vs. San Jose CyberRays Women’s Soccer Game, 12,000 attendees expected, Stadium-Armory Metrorail station to be more crowded than usual for the game.
  • June 21-22, 2003, the 11th Annual National Capital/Safeway Barbecue Battle, on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., between 9th and 13th streets; organizers expect 10,000 participants over the two days; Metro expects Archives-Navy Memorial, Federal Triangle, Metro Center, and Smithsonian Metrorail stations to be crowded.
  • July 4, 2003, Fourth of July Celebration on the National Mall and throughout the region; Metro is prepared to provide safe, reliable service that day.
  • July 8-12, 2003, the 32nd Annual Conference of Minority Transportation Officials" National Meeting and Training Conference in Washington, D.C.; 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, D.C., chapter and co-hosted by the Maryland COMTO chapter. D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams is the Honorary conference Chair.

Board Meeting Scheduled

On Thursday, June 19, 2003, the full Board of Directors meeting will convene at 11 a.m. in the Board Room, adjacent to the lobby at Metro headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, N.W. To hear a recording about upcoming meetings, date and time changes for meetings, or the results of the last meeting, call 202-962-1055. To hear quotes by Metro experts, call MetroVoices at 202-962-2007.

News release issued on June 12, 2003.