Metro News Release

For immediate release: September 19, 2003

Metro Reopened at 8 a.m. Friday, September 19

Metrorail, Metrobus, and Metroaccess resumed service today at 8 a.m., a day after Hurricane Isabel forced the system to close early for the safety of its customers.Metrorail will be operating on a Saturday schedule with trains passing through stations approximately every 12 to 15 minutes. Metrobus will be running on a Sunday schedule, and Metroaccess will be operating its regular service. Metrorail and Metrobus are operating on modified schedules because ridership is expected to be light as a result of the closure of so many businesses, the federal government, local schools, local governments, and generally the liberal leave policies that are in place.Metrobus and Metroaccess customers can expect some delays due to roadway conditions that will result in vehicles needing to detour around roads that are closed due to flooding, downed trees, and other debris that is blocking local roadways.Metro had track inspectors out accessing the damage as early as 1:50 a.m. They discovered that several trees were down between the Southern Avenue and Branch Avenue Metrorail stations along the Green Line in Prince George’s County, and crews hustled to clear the tracks to prepare for the opening.Metro stopped accepting customers after 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, the day that the Hurricane hit the Washington metropolitan region, based on National Weather Service information regarding the expected dangerous high winds that the storm would carry.

News release issued on September 19, 2003.