Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 15, 2004

Metro prepares for the upcoming Cherry Blossom season


Metrorail to deploy six-car trains during the daytime off-peak period. Metrorail to open At 6 a.m. on April 4 for the Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Race

With the annual return of the cherry blossoms just around the corner, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is preparing to carry large crowds to view the blossoms, or participate in the various Cherry Blossom Festival- related activities from March 27 to April 11. " Over the past several years, Metro employees have worked diligently to ensure safe, reliable, and convenient Cherry Blossom service," stated Metro’s Chief Executive Officer Richard A. White. " With the upcoming festival events, we are eager to accommodate additional riders on Metrorail and Metrobus, especially during off-peak hours, such as mid-day and weekends. During last year’s Cherry Blossom events, nearly 8.7 million passenger trips were made on Metrorail."

Metrorail to operate additional rail cars
In order to accommodate the projected ridership increase during Cherry Blossom activities, six-car trains will be deployed during the weekday, off-peak daytime hours to help handle the expected crowds.

" With six-car trains in the off-peak hours, our Metro Transit Police at core stations, our maintenance personnel preparing bus and rail cars for service, and our operational employees at the ready, I am confident we will be able to move large numbers of people in a safe, efficient, and reliable manner," said Mr. White.

Metrorail to open at 6 a.m. on April 4
In addition to the six-car trains, Metrorail will open one hour early, at 6 a.m., on Sunday, April 4, to accommodate the crowds attending the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-mile race. The race, starting at West Potomac Park, will wind its way across the Memorial Bridge and along Rock Creek Parkway. The closest Metrorail stop for customers to utilize is the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail station.

Customer tips
During the Cherry Blossom season, customers can do their part to help ensure that their trip is more pleasant by remembering the following travel tips:

  • Visitors should avoid traveling during the peak commuter periods of 5:30 to 9:30 a.m., and 3 to 7 p.m., and are strongly encouraged to avoid traveling Metrorail between 4 and 6 p.m. at the height of the afternoon peak period.
  • Regular commuters, especially those who work for the federal government and whose offices are in the vicinity of the Smithsonian Metrorail station, are urged to stagger their arrival and departure times from work.
  • Regular customers are encouraged to use all downtown Metrorail stations, avoiding the Smithsonian Metrorail station, which is the most popular station for tourists arriving at the National Mall.
  • Customers should allow extra time for travel when there are larger than usual numbers of people using Metrorail and Metrobus.
  • Customers are reminded when traveling in the Metrorail system to please walk into the body of the rail car and to not stand near or block the rail car doors
  • Visitors are encouraged to buy $6 One-Day passes, the best bargain for multiple trips; to avoid long lines on return trips, all customers should purchase at least round-trip fare when they first enter the Metrorail system. The one-day pass can only be used after 9:30 a.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends.
  • Adult customers are reminded to take special care of children accompanying them, especially when traveling in large crowds. Prepare beforehand the course of action you and your children will take if you become separated. Adults are also encouraged to advise their children to remain in the station where they are if they become separated from their parents, and seek assistance from a transit police officer or a station manager at the kiosk.
  • Patience and courtesy are essential when traveling during this time and throughout the tourist season; many customers will be first-time users of Metrorail and will need extra help in getting around the system.
  • All customers are reminded to be aware of their surroundings during this busy travel season, and to make sure their personal belongings or valuables are safe and secure when traveling on Metro.

    For more information on traveling by Metrobus and Metrorail, call (202) 637-7000, TDD (202) 638-3780, or visit Metro’s web site at www.metroopensdoors.com

    News release issued on March 15, 2004.