Metro News Release

For immediate release: October 20, 2003

This week at Metro (Monday, Oct. 20, 2003)

Army Reserves presents MTPD with Certificates of Appreciation
Metro Transit Police Chief Polly Hanson and Officers James Smith and Scott Dunn were recently presented with certificates of appreciation to thank them for training soldiers of HHC 229th Engineer Battalion with rail safety and familiarization in a transit environment. The certificates state that Chief Hanson and the officers "provided meritorious service during the period of February through August 2003 in instructing HHC 229th Engineer Battalion solders in Metro tunnel operations during Operation Noble Eagle. The technical expertise of the Metro Transit Police in instructing soldiers on safe navigation routes through the tunnel networks provided excellent training and improved the readiness of our unit for emergency support in the Pentagon vicinity. Your professionalism reflect credit upon you and the Metro Transit Police."

Metro’s Limited-English Proficiency Transit Seminar Planned during This Month
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 and whose clients are senior citizens and persons with disabilities. "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 fact that the university will offer 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’s Marketing office will position two in-station banners at the Foggy Bottom-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). The Authority expects that approximately 50 percent of the fans who attend these games will get there by Metro.

Upcoming Events Accessible by Metro
· 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 Woodlet 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, especially during the holiday season, one of the periods when these kinds of criminals are especially busy.

· October 31, 2003, Metro’s Boo Bus will return to entertain children in a safe and fun way for Halloween. The decorated Halloween bus and the costumed bus employees will provide safety information for children, along with McGruff the Crime Dog who will be on hand to remind children to "take a bite out of crime. Each year bus employees of the Southern Avenue Bus Annex sponsor this event with funds they themselves donate to defray the cost of the event in an effort to give back to the community which supports Metrobus by riding.

· 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 to honor Native Americans during the month.

· November 17 to 21, National COMTO Week, with the theme "Raising Awareness and Creating New Opportunities"; sponsored by the National Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, National COMTO and local chapters are observing this week to renew its focus on organizational effectiveness and increasing membership.

Board Meeting Scheduled
The full Metro Board of Directors meeting will convene on Thursday, October23, 2003, at 11 a.m. in the Board 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. To hear quotes by Metro experts, call MetroVoices at 202-962-2007.

News release issued on October 20, 2003.