Metro News Release

For immediate release: December 30, 2003

This Week at Metro (Monday, Dec. 29, 2003)

Asian Fortune Magazine and Potomac Job Corps Recognize WMATA

Asian Fortune Magazine sent the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority a handsome plaque to show its appreciation for the partnership with the Office of Human Resource Management and Planning (HRMP). In a successful effort to recruit as diverse a pool of candidates as possible for positions at Metro, HRMP utilizes this magazine as one of the many publications in which it places advertisements for WMATA job vacancies. HRMP accepted the plaque on behalf of WMATA.

In a related matter, the Potomac Job Corps Center recently presented WMATA with a plaque on behalf of the long-standing partnership the Authority has with the Job Corps. HRMP, the office which works closely with Job Corps via open houses where staff presents information on career opportunities with Metro to potential employees, received the plaque in behalf of the Authority.

MTPD Police Chief Officers/Department Receive Recognition

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."

In a related story, MTPD raised nearly $2,000 for the Davis/Morales Scholarship Fund which is in honor of the memory of two officers, Harry Davis and Francisco Morales, who were killed in the line of duty. Officer Hank Fearnow had the lead responsibility for the tournament which included more than 80 participants from throughout the Authority, as well as Hyattsville City Police and Airport Police.

Metrorail Sales Offices Will Be Closed on New Year’s Day

All Metro sales offices will be closed 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 New Year’s Eve. All other sales offices will operate normal hours on New Year’s Eve. For more information on riding Metro, customers may call 202-637-7000 (TTY 202-638-3780).

Upcoming Events Accessible by Metro

· 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.

No Board Meetings Scheduled

No Board meetings are scheduled for New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1, 2004. 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 30, 2003.