Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 15, 2005

Metro’s Chief of Police to Host Online Chat this Friday Afternoon

Metro’s Chief of Police, Polly L. Hanson, will respond directly to online questions from Metro riders this Friday, March 18, when the transit authority hosts its next edition of "Metro LunchTalk Online"--a live hour-long online chat from noon to 1 p.m.

"This Friday’s chat will allow me an opportunity to listen to, and talk to our customers as it relates to safety, security, and general policing issues," Chief Hanson said. "I hope our customers will share their experiences with me and provide constructive feedback. Additionally, I hope to answer as many customer questions and provide as much detail as I can on important security issues, and what we can all do to protect the entire Metro system."

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 March 15, 2005.