Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 23, 2004

The Metro Transit Police Department encourages patrons to travel safely and to be courteous during the cherry blossom events

To many, springtime in the nations’s capital means one thing: the annual return of the cherry blossoms. With the cherry blossoms expected to bloom this month, the Metro Transit Police Department anticipates that tourists and regular customers planning to view the blossoms, or participate in the various Cherry Blossom-related activities from March 27-April 11, will ride Metrorail and Metrobus in large numbers -- especially if there is an abundance of sunshine and warm temperatures.With that in mind, the Metro Transit Police Department would like to offer the following safety tips for patrons using Metrorail and Metrobus:

Metrorail

  • Stand back from the granite platform edge and allow customers to exit before attempting to board.
  • On the train, hold onto a handrail if it becomes necessary to stand.
  • Do not block or lean against the railcar doors. Move to the center of the rail car to make it easier for other customers to enter and exit the train.
  • Watch your backpack. Try not to let it hit other customers.
  • Share the seat next to you with other riders.
  • Never walk between railcars through the end doors.
  • In an emergency, use the intercom at either end of the railcar to contact the train operator.
  • Allow senior citizens and disabled customers to sit in the seats provided for them.
  • Take all personal items when exiting the train.

Metrobus

  • While waiting for the bus, stand back from the curb.
  • While on the bus, stand behind the white line.
  • If it becomes necessary to stand, please hold onto a handrail.
  • Keep the aisle clear of backpacks, grocery bags, etc.
  • Do not lean on bus doors, or block them from closing.
  • Share the seat next to you with other riders.
  • Take all personal items when exiting the bus.
In the event of an emergency, Metrorail customers are encouraged to use the emergency intercoms located on station platforms, inside elevators, at the ends of each subway car, or contact a Metro Transit Police officer, station manager, or other uniformed Metro employee. Metrobus customers are encouraged to notify the bus operator in the event of an emergency, and the operator, in turn, will notify police. "With security on the minds of many people, we continue to stress to our customers to always have a back-up emergency plan and an alternate travel route in case of a service disruption to Metrorail or Metrobus," said Polly Hanson, Metro’s Chief of Police. "Metro is considered one of the safest transit agencies in the country, and our dedicated transit police officers work hard to keep our system safe for customers and employees 24-hours-a-day."Customers are encouraged to call Metro Transit Police 24-hours-a-day at 202-962-2121 when they want to report suspicious activity.

News release issued on March 23, 2004.