Metro News Release

For immediate release: July 2, 2003

Travel on Metro for July 4th activities

Trains to take different routes for Independence Day Only Smithsonian station closed all day July 4th

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is providing a different travel pattern for its customers going to and from Independence Day celebrations around the region and on the National Mall. For Independence Day only, trains will depart from their usual routing and travel in directions regular customers have only seen four times before " on July 4 in 1999, in 2000, in 2001, and in 2002.

Metro will open at 7 a.m. and close at 3 a.m. the next morning, during the first full weekend of extended service hours. Metro expects the majority of the post-event crowds from the fireworks on the National Mall to have cleared Metrorail stations well before closing.

" The Authority has devised innovative ways to safely and conveniently take customers to and from Independence Day celebrations on July 4th," stated Lem Proctor, Chief Operating Officer for Rail. " We use this innovative way of traveling because, as in the past four Fourths of July, it works."

Here’s what will happen on July 4th.

Special Metrorail Service: ∙ The Smithsonian Station on the Orange Line is closed all day. Suggested alternate stations are as follows:

∙ The Blue Line will operate between Huntington and Rosslyn (upper platform) stations.

∙ The Yellow Line will run between Franconia-Springfield to Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street-Convention Center stations.

∙ Starting at 11 a.m., Red Line trains will alternate final destination stations between Silver Spring and Glenmont. ∙ Starting at 3 p.m., Green Line trains will alternate final destination stations between Fort Totten and Greenbelt.

∙ Twice as many Orange Line trains will run between Vienna/Fairfax-GMU and Stadium-Armory. Orange Line trains will alternate between New Carrollton and Addison Road-Seat Pleasant final destination stations.

Special Metrobus Service: ∙ From 6 p.m. until closing, free shuttle buses will operate every 15 minutes between Franconia-Springfield station and Springfield Mall at Macy’s.

∙ After the fireworks, free Metrobus shuttle service will operate between the L" Enfant Plaza Metrorail station and the Pentagon Transit Center.

To help ensure that riders board the correct train, Metro will make frequent station announcements throughout the Metrorail system, and MIPs (Metro Information Persons) will be positioned throughout the rail system to assist customers. In addition, Take One brochures, titled Metro’s 4th of July Service, will be available to customers at Take One racks near station managers" kiosks or booths at rail stations and on Metrobuses, as long as supplies last.

For one day only, Metrorail July 4th maps will be on display in rail cars and in rail stations.

Customer Tips/Reminders: ∙ Customers are strongly encouraged to purchase round trip farecards when they first enter the Metrorail system. In designated stations, Metro personnel will handsell farecards to prevent lines at farecard vending machines when customers return to stations to go home.

∙ Customers are reminded to listen to station and train announcements, watch for updates on the electronic message boards in stations. Metro employees " station managers, MIPs, customer-assistance team members will be on hand to direct customers in an effort to help them board correct trains.

∙ Oversized coolers will not be permitted on the Mall.

∙ Due to the expected large crowds on July 4th, bicycles will not be permitted on Metrorail trains.

In addition, adults should talk with their children about what to do if they become separated. It is strongly advised that adults look for their children, directing them to remain where they are until found or to exit the train at the very next station, if they are riding the train when separated from mom or dad. In addition, parents and other adults should seek the assistance of Metro Transit Police, station managers, MIPs, or others who will be in uniform that day.

MIPs will be wearing white T-shirts that say " Ask Me" and matching white caps which say " Metro." Metro Transit Police and Operations employees will be wearing their high-visibility orange vests. For more information on traveling by Metrorail or Metrobus on July 4th, check out the Metro Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com, or call (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780.

News release issued on July 2, 2003.