Metro News Release

For immediate release: October 14, 2003

This week at Metro (Monday, Oct. 13, 2003)

Metro to sponsor National Hispanic Heritage Month Business Outreach Program

Metro’s offices of Civil Rights and Procurement will sponsor an outreach program for Hispanic businesses in the metropolitan region on October 15, 2003, at 8:30 a.m. at Metro headquarters. At the 2003 Hispanic Heritage Month Business Outreach Program to promote minority business opportunities with Metro, Nuria Fernandez, Executive with Earth Tech and former Metro Assistant General Manager for the Department of Design and Construction, will be a guest panelist along with Juan Albert, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Ibero American Chamber of Commerce. They will discuss business opportunities for Hispanics. Gary Griebel, Supervisor of Contract Administration in Metro’s Procurement office, will provide information how Metro’s Local Small Business Preference Program works.

In addition, Metro’s Project Communications (PCOM) office will sponsor a Limited-English Proficiency Transit Seminar on October 22 at Metro headquarters. The purpose of the seminar is to provide transit information for social service workers and community organizations whose clients do not speak English, with a focus on information in Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese. "Sponsoring these kinds of events makes strategic business sense and positions Metro as an organization which is serious about its effective stewardship role as a corporate citizen in the region," noted Debra Johnson, Director of PCOM.

Metro Enters into a Joint Partnership with George Washington University Metro’s Office of Marketing has entered into a joint partnership with George Washington University’s (GWU) Athletic Department, beginning November 8, 2003, through February 29, 2004, to promote the men’s and women’s basketball season. Metro and GWU will promote the university’s offer of half-priced tickets to all men’s and women’s games when customers show their Metorrail farecard, Metrobus/Metrorail pass, or SmarTrip card at GWU’s Smith Center Box Office on the day of the game. Metro employees who present their employee ID on the day of the game will receive the same discount for up to four tickets per game as long as tickets are available. Marketing will place two banners at the Foggy Botom-GWU Metrorail station for directional purposes. During the four months of the partnership, it will be promoted on WMET radio (1150AM) and WAGE radio (1200AM). Metro expects that approximately 50 percent of the fans who attend these games will get there by Metrorail or Metrobus.

Upcoming Events Accessible by Metro
· Now through October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month; the month recognizes the traditions, ancestry, and experiences of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean; employees of Hispanic origin make up 2.9 percent of Metro’s work force. This recognition began September 15.

· October 11-13, 2003, The 12th Annual Taste of DC, A Salute to Our City, on Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 14th streets, NW; free admission; Metro will sponsor a booth on Pennsylvania Avenue and 11th Street, NW, where visitors can obtain information to learn more about the Metro system. Visitors to A Taste of DC can take Metro’s Red, Orange/Blue Lines to Metro Center; Orange/Blue Lines to Federal Triangle; or Green Line to Archives-Navy Memorial; or Metrobus routes 30, 32, 34, 35, or 36 to this event. Remember: Major track work will take place on the Red Line this weekend. See www.metroopensdoors.com for details.

October 21-26, 2003, The 45th Washington International Horse Show, at the MCI Center; if attendees show their Metro farecard, SmarTrip card, or bus transfer, they can receive $5 off the price of any regular ticket; the nearest Metrorail station is Gallery Place-Chinatown on the Red, Green, or Yellow Lines; the nearest Metrobus routes are the 70, 80, and X2.

· October 24 to 26, Boo at the Zoo, an evening of not-too-scary fun featuring animal encounters, festive decorations, and haunted trails for enjoyment by families with children. All adults and children, ages 2 and older, must have tickets. Attendees are encouraged to take Metrobus or Metrorail to the Woodley Par-Zoo/Adams Morgan station. To plan your trip, visit the RideGuide at www.metroopensdoors.com.

· October 29, 7:30 a.m., Pickpocket /Identity Theft Prevention Seminar, conducted by renowned pickpocket/identity theft prevention expert Det. Cedric Mitchell with the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD); the seminar will end at 3:30 p.m. and include information for police and investigators from Amtrak, the Smithsonian, the MCI Center, the World Bank, and MTPD. The seminar comes in time for officers and investigators to provide information to citizens on how to keep safe from pickpocket and identity theft crimes, particularly during the holiday season, one of the periods when these kinds of criminals are especially busy.

· November 1-30, National Native American Month, when the nation recognizes and honors the contributions of Native Americans to the success of the nation. Metro will announce a program during the month to honor Native Americans.

Board Committee Meetings Scheduled
The Budget Committee will convene on Thursday, October16, 2003, at 9 a.m., followed by the Operations Committee meeting. Both meetings will be in the Meeting 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.

News release issued on October 14, 2003.