Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 2, 2005

Metro’s Friday online chat focuses on dealing with ice and snow

Metro Deputy General Manager James Gallagher will respond directly to online questions about how Metro deals with winter weather this Friday, February 4, 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. Gallagher as the host of the fourth online chat hosted by Metro.

"The area has had three snowfalls so far this month, and more snow is likely before the end of winter," Mr. Gallagher said. "I know people have questions about how we handle the snow and ice. Hopefully they will take the opportunity of participating in or at least following along during our online chat to get answers to their questions about how the rail and bus system handles light snowfall, heavy snowfall, ice and sub-zero temperatures. If they want to ask about snow removal from Metro stations, Metro parking lots, Metro bus bays and even our railroad tracks, this is a great chance for them to get immediate answers. We can even talk about pre-storm preparations that we take before snow falls."

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 February 2, 2005.