Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 21, 2004

Metro an important transportation option for National World War II Memorial dedication

Metrorail to operate on a special schedule For Saturday, May 29 only

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is preparing to accommodate thousands of people traveling to and from the Dedication of the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall, on Saturday, May 29. The World War II Memorial dedication is part of a four-day event beginning on Thursday, May 27, and concluding on Sunday, May 30. The celebration will feature several events including a reunion, a memorial service and a major dedication ceremony, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 29, at 2 p.m. These events are being coordinated by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) and the Smithsonian Institution.

"The Authority along with the Transportation Management Service (TMS) has devised an innovative service plan to safely and conveniently take attendees to and from the National World War II Memorial Dedication celebration on the National Mall on May 29th," stated Richard A. White, Metro’s CEO and General Manager. "We are pleased to be partnered with the ABMC to provide transportation for attendees of this historic event."

Here’s what will happen on Saturday, May 29th.

Metrorail Service:

· Metrorail will open at its normal time, 7 a.m.

· Beginning at 7 a.m., all rail lines will operate with six-car trains.

· Metrorail will operate every 10 minutes from the end of each rail line from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Metrorail will return to its normal schedule after 8 p.m.

· Red Line trains will not be turning back at Grosvenor-Strathmore. All Red Line trains will operate to Shady Grove.

· Because of the expected large crowds, bicycles, two-wheeled motorized vehicles and large coolers will not be permitted in the Metrorail system.

· Emergency Medical Technicians, accompanied by Metro Transit Police, will be available at the following Metrorail stations to assist with anyone that becomes ill: Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown, L’Enfant Plaza, Smithsonian and Farragut West.

· The closest stations to the dedication events are: Smithsonian, L’Enfant Plaza, Metro Center, Farragut West, Federal Triangle, Archives-Navy Memorial, and Federal Center SW.

Special Metrobus/Shuttle Bus Service

· The AMBC has hired TMS to utilize buses to operate a shuttle system to transport approximately 116,000 ticketed attendees.

· TMS has contracted with Metro to provide 25 accessible retrofitted buses to accommodate customers with wheelchairs. Attendees with tickets, should have already received information about these buses. Attendees who need more information may call 1-800-340-9737. · TMS has contracted with Metro, Ride-On, Fairfax Connector, DASH and CUE to provide over 300 buses to shuttle ticketed attendees to and from the event.

· Ticketed attendees will be shuttled from Smithsonian, L’Enfant Plaza Metro Center, and Farragut West Metrorail stations. Shuttle bus service will be available from these stations to three seating areas for ticketed attendees only. Attendees must have a ticket for the dedication ceremony to board these shuttle buses.

· Shuttle bus service will be provided from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for ticket-attendees only between these stations and the ticketed seating sections:

For those without tickets who wish to attend the event on the National Mall, Metro recommends that customers exit the following Metrorail stations:

· Metrobus will operate on a normal Saturday schedule. However, buses that operate through downtown D.C., can expect detours due to the numerous street closings.

MetroAccess Service

· MetroAccess will operate service starting at 5:30 a.m.

· The intersections of 18th Street, and Virginia Avenue, N.W., and 15th and Jefferson Street, N.W., have been designated as drop-off and pick-up locations and is restricted to MetroAccess customers with tickets to attend the dedication ceremony. These customers should be prepared to walk several blocks and should allow time for security checks.

· For MetroAccess customers who have tickets to attend the dedication ceremony and use wheelchairs, it is recommended that they reserve their trips to and from the dedication ceremony at the Pentagon South Parking Lot and then transfer to a shuttle bus to the dedication ceremony. Attendees must have a ticket for the dedication ceremony to board MetroAccess vehicles to these locations and to board these shuttle buses. Metro Transit Police/Safety

· All Metro Transit Police Department officers will be wearing their high-visibility vests.

· The safety of all Metro customers and employees is a top priority. Metro reminds everyone to always be alert. If anyone sees suspicious activity, please report it to a Metro employee or police officer. Customers may also call Metro Transit Police at (202) 962-2121.

· Please note the following items which are prohibited for the dedication ceremony on May 29: aerosols of any kind; fireworks/firecrackers; alcoholic beverages; glass containers; animals (except guide dogs); duffel bags/suitcases/backpacks/coolers; real or simulated weapons/ammunition; knives of any size; mace/pepper spray; laser lights/pointers.

Customer Assistance · MIPs (Metro Information Persons) will be positioned throughout the rail system to hand out walking guide brochures, provide assistance at farecard machines, provide directions and answer customer questions.

· The Metro Guide to the Dedication of the National World War II Memorial brochure will be available to customers at Take One racks near station managers’ kiosks or booths at rail stations and on Metrobuses, as long as supplies last.

Customer Tips/Reminders: · Attendees and regular Metrorail customers are strongly encouraged to purchase their round trip farecards prior to all the Memorial Day weekend events. If this is not possible, everyone should purchase a round-trip farecard when they first enter the Metrorail system. In designated stations, Metro personnel will hand sell farecards to decrease the length of lines at farecard vending machines when customers return to stations to go home. · Attendees and regular customers are reminded to listen to station and train announcements, and watch for updates on the electronic message boards in stations. Metro employees - station managers and MIPs will be on hand to direct customers in an effort to help them board the correct trains.

· All attendees should talk in advance on what to do if they become separated. It is strongly advised that they should remain where they are until found or to exit the train at the very next station, if they are riding the train when separated. In addition, attendees should seek the assistance of Metro Transit Police, station managers, or MIPs who will be in uniform on Saturday, May 29.

"Saturday, May 29 will be a very challenging day for everyone at the Authority," said Jim Gallagher, Metro’s Deputy General Manager for Operations. "We at Metro have worked closely with the organizers of the weekend’s events to ensure safe and reliable transportation for attendees, many of whom are elderly or in wheelchairs.

"The office of Elevator and Escalator Maintenance is prepared for an increased number of wheelchairs and elderly visitors in the system and will have personnel positioned at key locations for rapid response to concerns. Our Metrobus operators are prepared to contend with numerous street closures in downtown Washington due to the event logistics and heightened security efforts. And our railcar operators will take care to make extra announcements on trains to make sure everyone gets to their destination safely.

"Knowing these challenges that face us, we will be prepared to do our best to provide safe and reliable transportation services," concluded Mr. Gallagher.

Metro has been working with the event organizers, the National Park Service, the Federal Transit Administration, the District of Columbia’s Mayor’s Special Event Task Force and local bus properties to ensure successful transportation operations of this special event.

"This occasion marks another opportunity for Metro to showcase its safe, convenient, and reliable transportation services in support of an important national event," said Mr. White. "The nation’s capital is a natural magnet for the large number of rallies, marches, and ceremonies which often take place in the city, and Metro is the best logical transportation choice for these participants. We will be ready to provide the best possible service to support the National World War II Memorial dedication for those attending this event as well as our regular customers," Mr. White concluded. For more information on traveling by Metrorail or Metrobus on May 29th, check out the Metro Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com, or call (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780.

News release issued on May 21, 2004.