Metro News Release

For immediate release: August 6, 2003

Metro Web site upgraded to speed access

Local traffic, weather conditions also added

Metro’s web site, received a substantial increase in bandwidth this month to meet the surge in demand for service from the more than 18,000 customer visits per day. The additional bandwidth will allow viewers to log on quicker, making it easier for them to visit the site to download information such as Metrorail and Metrobus timetables, system maps, trip-planning services, and other customer information. Frequent visitors will notice faster downloads, especially during peak weekday hours.The upgrade in telecommunications lines to Metro’s web servers comes as the site faces record demand for customer information. Metro’s research shows that more than half of its customers prefer to receive their information about Metro via the internet. Recently, site usage topped three million page views per month. Also, during fiscal year 2003, Metro’s web site usage jumped 41 percent from the previous fiscal year.The most popular areas of metroopensdoors.com are the Metro system map, timetables, the Ride Guide trip planner, Metrorail station pages, fares and hours, Metrobus service maps, Metro pocket guides, and SmarTrip card information.Additional links to local traffic reports and weather conditions are also now available on Metro’s web site to provide its customers with that additional information as they plan their trips during inclement weather or other traffic disturbances."Our goal is to provide our customers information about Metro through a variety of means such as our web site, our call center (202-637-7000), and text messages to their pagers or e-mail accounts," said Leona Agouridis, Metro’s Assistant General Manager for Communications. "Our web site averages about 18,000 visitors a day, many from customers planning trips on Metrorail or Metrobus. We think that providing them quicker access to the site in addition to local traffic and weather conditions will help them plan their trips in the area," Ms. Agouridis said. The local traffic and weather updates are available under the "Getting Around" area of the web site.The updates are offered in the form of links to local television and WTOP radio station traffic and weather reports, the Federal Highway Administration’s Maryland and Virginia traffic information, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Region-wide Traveler Information and air quality forecast, the National Weather Service’s detailed forecast, and the Weather Channel’s current conditions and forecast."Customers who do not have internet access can continue to access general information through our call center at 202-637-7000 or for trip planning, through our voice-activated Ride Guide 24-hours a day, at the same number," Ms. Agouridis explained.

News release issued on August 6, 2003.