Metro News Release

For immediate release: January 3, 2005

Metro CEO to host online chat this Friday afternoon

Metro General Manager and CEO Richard A. White will respond directly to online questions from Metro riders this Friday, January 7, when the transit authority hosts "Metro LunchTalk Online"--a live hour-long online chat from noon to 1 p.m.

This Friday’s session will feature Mr. White as the host, although other Metro senior management officials will host future sessions.

"Our first-ever online chat last month was a wonderful opportunity to listen to, and talk with, our customers," Mr. White said. "I hope they will continue to share their experiences with me, and that I will learn from their insights and observations. Additionally, I hope to continue to answer customers’ questions, provide more details about issues covered in the media, and explain why we do some of the things we do."

Metro customers can log onto Metro LunchTalk Online from Metro’s homepage at www.metroopensdoors.com or directly at www.forums-wmata.com. Participants must register in advance if they want to submit questions during one of the forums. Viewers who prefer to follow along without submitting questions are not required to register. One of the features of registering is that if someone submits a question, the original sender of the question will receive an email if a response to his/her inquiry has been posted. As many questions as possible will be answered during the hour-long session.

An archive of all of the question and answer sessions is posted on the web site for future reference. Persons without internet access can call Metro’s Customer Service Office at 202-637-1328 and request a session transcript.

For more information about Metro LunchTalk Online visit www.forums-wmata.com.

News release issued on January 3, 2005.