Metro News Release

For immediate release: November 20, 2003

Metro’s Board of Directors detail restroom procedures

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (Metro) Board of Directors today authorized the CEO to modify the existing Metrorail restroom procedures for the public and implement a variety of enhancements designed to protect customers and employees. The following changes will take effect immediately:

New Customer Restroom Procedures
❏ In-station restrooms will be available to Metrorail paying customers upon request to the station manager if the customer has an emergency; if the request is made on behalf of a child; or if the customer is elderly or has a mobility requirement.

❏ Station managers have the right to refuse restroom use, at their discretion, if they feel their personal safety is at risk; or if there is an ongoing emergency on a train, in the station, or on the right-of-way requiring the station manager’s immediate attention. Emergencies may include sick customers, station crowding, fare equipment collection issues, or a person on the tracks.

❏ If a station manager refuses restroom use on the basis they feel their personal safety is at risk, or if there is an ongoing station or train emergency, a report must be filed.

❏ Customers will be escorted to the locked ancillary door leading to the entrance to the restrooms. The station manager will unlock the door and direct the customer to the appropriate restroom.

❏ The station manager will return to his/her duties and allow the patron to exit himself/herself. Metrorail Station Facility Preparation

❏ Currently, all 83 Metrorail stations are equipped with a women’s and men’s restroom located behind ancillary doors in the stations. These individual rooms will be converted to restrooms for customers or for employees only. Additionally, all backroom locks, doors and cabinets will be modified as needed.

❏ Signs will be displayed at kiosks notifying customers of public restroom availability. The following four stations will not have restrooms available for customers for security reasons: Rhode Island Avenue, Addison Road-Seat Pleasant, Vienna/Fairfax-GMU and Pentagon.

❏ The revised operating procedures will be posted on the doors leading to the restrooms.Customer Communication Procedures

To communicate the public restroom policy, Metro will post signs and customer service telephone contact information, post the procedures signs near the restroom door, and post the policy on its website at www.metroopensdoors.com

News release issued on November 20, 2003.