Metro News Release

For immediate release: July 24, 2003

Metro to enhance communication efforts for Metrobus customers

At today’s Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) Board Operations Committee, Metro officials outlined plans to enhance its communication efforts to the 513,000 customers who use Metrobus each weekday and to potential new customers. This implementation plan includes the distribution of free Metrobus system maps, increased distribution of these maps, and additional information initiatives on Metrobus services.

One initiative calls for Metro to distribute Metrobus system maps for free. Under the current plan, customers may purchase a Metrobus street map, outlining service in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia for $1.50. These maps are available for free on Metro’s Web site or can be purchased through the site at www.metroopensdoors.com or by calling the customer information line at (202) 637-7000.

To help reduce associated costs with distributing Metrobus system maps for free, outreach efforts are underway to secure advertisers to underwrite increased costs due to the increased quantity of Metrobus maps expected to be distributed.

"At this time, we expect to have the new Metrobus system map completed by December 2003 and available for distribution in January 2004," said Jane Taylor, Metro’s Director of Marketing. Metro is also planning to expand its distribution of Metrobus system maps throughout the region. Free Metrobus system maps will be available at its sales offices, regional transit stores, all six bus divisions where the SmarTrip card is sold, SmarTrip retailers including all Giant and Safeway grocery stores, and at Metrorail stations. Metro will continue to mail its Metrobus system maps upon request for free, and regional bus system maps will be installed at all Metrorail stations. Furthermore, the new Metrobus system map distribution locations will be listed on all Metrobus timetable schedules and the regional bus system maps will be included at all Metrorail stations. "We recognize that this transit agency has a responsibility to provide and distribute information on all of its services through a variety of means," said Ms. Taylor. "Today’s efforts are a first step in ensuring that critical information is always available to our customers each and everyday, and these measures are designed with the idea of putting the customer first."

In fiscal year 2004, Metro will introduce a new awareness campaign with the goal of putting the customer in control of how they can access information anytime. Metro’s Web site, www.metroopensdoors.com, is an essential part of Metro’s enhanced communication plan. Last month, the Web site reported 3.5 million page views, exceeding February’s record of 3.2 million page views. As a result, Metro will increase its Web capacity this summer for greater customer ease and additional mapping capabilities will be explored to enhance availability.

"As we continue to move forward with expanding information on Metrobus service, we will continue to seek customer feedback to ensure this information is useful, relevant, and accessible to everyone who wishes to use Metrobus today, and in the future," concluded Ms. Taylor.

News release issued on July 24, 2003.