Metro News Release

For immediate release: November 25, 2003

Metro launches " Metro Is Accessible" project aimed at encouraging people with disabilities to ride Metrobus and Metrorail

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) has launched a " Metro Is Accessible" project designed to encourage people with disabilities to ride Metrobus and Metrorail. Metro’s Office of Americans with Disabilities Act Programs (ADAP) and Metro’s Elderly & Handicapped Advisory Committee are undertaking several public awareness and educational outreach campaign activities to increase the use of Metrobus and Metrorail by these customers. The " Metro Is Accessible" campaign activities will be directed to a potential population of 385,000 people with disabilities in the Washington metropolitan region of whom, it is estimated, 80,000 people with disabilities could use fixed-route service ( Metrobus and Metrorail service which follows a pre-determined or fixed route). Currently, 16,000 people with disabilities are enrolled in Metro’s reduced-fare program, and 11,000 use MetroAccess (the curb-to-curb service for people who are medically eligible to use this service). ADAP will provide a " train the travel trainer" workshop to representatives of disability organizations, such as independent living centers, rehabilitation facilities, school systems" special education departments, agencies on aging, university-based disability services offices, and local affiliates of disability service and advocacy organizations. These organizations represent potential bus and rail customers and include those with a variety of disabilities among students, seniors, and young adults. Metro will also administer a speakers" bureau so that organizations can request guest speakers on Metrobus and Metrorail transportation services for people with disabilities at their meetings and other activities. In addition, ADAP will implement regional " Metro Is Accessible" project meetings and will participate in a variety of agency presentations on travel options for these potential customers. This office will also continue its group and individual orientation program. This program provides bus and rail system orientation to disability groups and people with disabilities. ADAP will also visit schools to provide on-site photo ID sessions for students with disabilities who plan to ride Metrobus and Metrorail, and will also institute, where appropriate, a referral program for people with disabilities eligible to use private-sector travel training. "The objective of this " Metro Is Accessible" project is to increase the use of Metrobus and Metrorail by persons with disabilities," stated Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard A. White. "Over the years, Metrobus and Metrorail have increased the number of accessibility features to aid people with disabilities to use our fixed-route systems conveniently and safely. So we strongly encourage these potential customers to give us a try." The convenient accessibility features Metrobus has added to buses in its fleet include the following: ∙ Talking buses that inform people of major intersections and bus stop locations. ∙ Low-floor buses which make it easier for persons to board a bus. ∙ Bus operators who have participated in sensitivity training to more effectively deal with the needs of customers with disabilities and senior citizens. ∙ The establishment of lift-bus mechanic specialist positions to maintain the operational effectiveness of lift buses. Metrorail also has numerous accessibility features that improve the safety and convenience for customers with disabilities who ride Metrorail, including the following: ∙ Gap reducers at train entrances to ease entry by customers using wheelchairs. ∙ Rehabilitated elevators to meet ADA requirements. ∙ Assistance phone numbers on elevator signs in rail stations. ∙ Bumpy domes at the platform edge to alert customers with vision impairment that they are nearing the edge of the platform. ∙ Passenger Information Display Signs (PIDS) in Metrorail stations to inform customers of next-train arrival and other pertinent service information. ∙ Barriers between rail cars to alert customers with vision impairment to avoid stepping into that space. ∙ Braille on rail car intercoms. ∙ Shuttle service for elevator outages. ∙ Electronic Elevator Notification (ELLEN) e-mail subscription service. ∙ Elevator outage notification provided by Internet, phone, PIDS and announcements. "We can never rest on our laurels and will constantly be examining ways to improve our service for this segment of our customers," noted Rikki S. Epstein, ADAP Project Officer. "The bottom line is that when we improve service for one segment of our customers, all of our customers benefit." In addition to a public awareness campaign featuring presentations at targeted events, partnerships with agencies serving persons with disabilities, a travel training referral program, and direct mail and e-mails to this potential customer base, ADAP will also examine implementing talking bus stop signs, talking rail station signs, increased station lighting, and improved pedestrian accessibility to stations and bus stops, among other accessibility features. Metro will also sponsor an official kick-off of the " Metro Is Accessible" campaign on December 17.

News release issued on November 25, 2003.