Metro News Release

For immediate release: December 8, 2003

This week at Metro (Monday, Dec. 8, 2003)

WMATA will officially launch the "Metro is holiday" transit decoration contest set for Friday, December 12
Bus and rail operators and mechanics will have decorated buses from each of 10 bus garage divisions and one rail car representing the five color rail lines to showcase their creativity and originality this holiday season. Representatives for organizations outside of Metro as well as Metro officials not associated with the Operations Department will act as judges and decide on the top three best decorated buses and rail cars. The judging criteria includes creativity, originality, theme, universal appeal based on inclusion of various holiday observances for this time of year, and overall appeal.

On Friday, December 12, 2003, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., judging of the Metrorail cars will take place at the Greenbelt Rail Yard at 5801 Sunnyside Avenue in College Park, Maryland., and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., judging of the Metrobuses. Judging of the Metrobuses will take place alongside the MCI Center on F Street, N.W., between 6th and 7th streets. After the contest ends, buses will parade around Metro headquarters to show off their holiday handiwork.

This activity will also allow Metrobus and Metrorail employees to provide an extra measure of delight for children of all ages, as these decorated vehicles will go into service for customers as long as the decorations last.

Accessible" Campaign on December 17 The "Metro Is Accessible" project kick-off event will take place on Wednesday, December 17, 2003, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Metro headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, N.W., Meeting Room, lobby level. Speakers at the event for accessibility/mobility organizations will include Susan Holland, Chair, Metro Is Accessible Subcommittee; James T. Gallagher, Metro Deputy General Manager; Patrick Sheehan, Chair, WMATA Elderly and Handicapped Transportation Advisory Committee; Jack Requa, Chief Operating Officer for Bus; Lem Proctor, Chief Operating Officer for Rail; Glenn D. Millis, Director, Officer of Americans with Disabilities Act Program (ADAP); and Rikki S. Epstein, Project Officer, ADAP.

Metro has launched a multi-prong campaign called Metro Is Accessible to encourage more people with disabilities to use fixed-route transportation services such as Metrobus and Metrorail. At the official kick-off event on December 17, attendees will learn more about the accessibility features on Metrobus and Metrorail, see a demonstration of an accessible low-floor bus with voice annunciators, and visit the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station to learn more about its accessibility features on a guided tour of the station led by Mr. Millis and Rayann Otto, ADAP Specialist For more information on the program, organizations and agencies interested in this topic may contact Ms. Epstein at 202-962-1125 (TTY: 202-962-2033.

Metrorail Sales Offices Will Be Closed on Christmas, and New Year’s These Offices Will Close Earlier than Usual on Christmas and New Year’s Eves Metro sales offices will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Metro Center and Pentagon Sales offices will close at 4 p.m., two-and-a-half hours earlier than normal, on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. All other sales offices will operate normal hours on Christmas and New Year’s Eves. For more information on riding Metro, customers may call 202-637-7000 (TTY 202-638-3780).

Upcoming Events Accessible by Metro
December 22, 2003, 10 a.m., Metro Transit Police Class #62 Graduation Ceremony, featuring guest speaker June Jeffries, Assistant U.S. Attorney and lead prosecutor in the Marlon Francisco Morales trial, the MTPD officer killed in the line of duty two years ago; Metro headquarters’ MTPD Training Room.

January 7, 2004, 7:30 a.m., Department of System Safety and Risk Protection’s Emergency Management Outreach with Metro Transit Police and the Department of Communications, Metro Center Metrorail station.

January 26, 2004, 10 a.m., "Metro Matters" Hearing, D.C. Council Committee on Public Service, City Council Chambers.

Board Committee Meetings Scheduled The Budget Committee will convene at 9 a.m. followed by the Human Resources and Safety Committee meetings, all in the Meeting Room, lobby level, at Metro headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, N.W. To hear a recording about the date and time of upcoming meetings, or the results of the last meeting, call 202-962-1055.

News release issued on December 8, 2003.