Metro News Release
For immediate release: March 22, 2005
Metro prepares for the cherry blossom season
Metrorail deploys six-car trains during the daytime off-peak periodMetrorail to open at 6 a.m. on April 3 for the cherry blossom 10-mile race
With the return of the annual cherry blossoms coming soon, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is preparing to carry large crowds to view the cherry blossoms, or participate in the various 2005 National Cherry Blossom Festival activities from March 26 to April 10.
"Every Cherry Blossom season, Metro employees have worked diligently to ensure safe, reliable, and convenient service," noted Steven Feil, Metro’s Chief Operating Officer for Rail. "During last year’s events, more than 8.4 million passenger trips were made on Metrorail, and on two days ridership exceeded 700,000. We are prepared to accommodate more riders, especially during off-peak hours, such as mid-day and weekends."
In order to accommodate the projected ridership increase during Cherry Blossom activities, six-car trains will be used during the weekday, off-peak daytime hours to accommodate the expected crowds. Based on ridership demands, Metro will be prepared to use eight-car trains if necessary.
"I am confident we will be able to move large numbers of people safely and efficiently with six-car trains in the off-peak hours, our Metro Transit Police at core stations, our maintenance personnel preparing bus and rail cars for service, and our operational employees on hand," said Mr. Feil.
Metrorail To Open at 6 a.m. on Sunday, April 3
On Sunday, April 3, the Metrorail system will open one hour early, at 6 a.m., to accommodate patrons attending the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-mile race. The race starts at West Potomac Park, winds its way across the Memorial Bridge and along Rock Creek Parkway. The closest Metrorail stop for customers is the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange Lines.
Customer Tips
During the Cherry Blossom season, customers can do their part to help ensure that their trip is pleasant by remembering the following travel tips:
Visitors should avoid traveling during the peak commuter periods of 5:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m., and are strongly encouraged to avoid traveling Metrorail between 4 and 6 p.m. at the height of the afternoon peak period.
Regular commuters, especially those who work for the federal government and whose offices are in the vicinity of the Smithsonian Metrorail station, which is the most popular station for tourists arriving at the National Mall, are urged to stagger their arrival and departure times for work and use all downtown Metrorail stations.
Regular commuters should allow extra time for travel, and are reminded when traveling on Metrorail to please walk into the center of the rail car and not to block the rail car doors.
Visitors are encouraged to buy $6.50 one-day Metrorail pass, the best bargain for multiple trips; the one-day pass can only be used after 9:30 a.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends
Visitors can also buy a SmarTrip card, which is used on Metrorail, Metrobus, and is the only way to pay for parking at Metro-operated lots. Visitors can purchase a SmarTrip card from Metro’s Web site for $25 (with $20 of value on the card) or for $10 at any Metrorail station with a parking facility (with $5 of fare value on the card). SmarTrip cards can hold up to $300 of fare value.
Adults are reminded to take special care of children, especially when traveling in large crowds. Prepare beforehand the course of action you and your children will take if you become separated. Adults are also encouraged to advise their children to remain in the station where they are if they become separated from their parents, and seek assistance from a transit police officer or a station manager.
All customers are reminded to be aware of their surroundings during this busy travel season, and to make sure their personal belongings or valuables are safe and secure when traveling on Metro.
The 93rd Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival brochures are free and will be in station take-one racks one week prior to the event. For more information on traveling by Metrobus and Metrorail, call (202) 637-7000, TDD (202) 638-3780, or visit Metro’s web site at www.metroopensdoors.com.
News release issued on March 22, 2005.