Metro News Release

For immediate release: April 14, 2005

Sports Commission agrees to temporarily cover late-night Metrorail service for Nationals games until permanent agreement is in place

The DC Sports and Entertainment Commission has accepted temporary responsibility for covering Metro’s late-night service policy to cover costs for keeping the transit system open past midnight if Nationals games go late into the night. The Commission has agreed to cover the policy until a permanent agreement is executed by the Washington Nationals. In addition, the Commission has informed Metro that it will facilitate getting the permanent agreement signed.

Metrorail closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday nights, and closes at 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

"We are extremely pleased that the Commission stepped up to the plate today to ensure that Nationals fans who get to the games via Metro will be able to get home via Metro," said Metro General Manager and CEO Richard White. "This agreement helps ensure the Nationals fans will be able to continue to cheer for the team until the final out of the game."

Average weekday ridership at the Stadium-Armory Metrorail station is 2,781. Metro officials expect close to 20,000 fans to use the station for the team’s home opener.

Metro is preparing to handle the anticipated crowds with extra trains and personnel and to put its best foot forward. Metro will operate its full rush hour service with six-car trains starting at 3 p.m., continuing up until game time (7:05 p.m.). After the game, Metro will have up to 14 six-car trains available to transport attendees from the Stadium-Armory Metrorail station up until closing time. Additional station managers, rail supervisors and Transit Police officers will be at the station to assist customers with questions and direct them to the stadium. A special cleaning effort has been completed at the Stadium-Armory Metrorail station and Metro has fast-tracked the installation of an escalator canopy at that station.

More detailed information about how Metro is preparing to handle the crowds that are expected to attend tonight’s baseball game are available at http://www.wmata.com/about/met_news/story.cfm" ID=209.

News release issued on April 14, 2005.