Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 18, 2005

Metro CEO to host online chat this Friday with Red Line managers

Metro General Manager and CEO Richard A. White will respond directly to online questions about Metrobus service this Friday, May 20, when the transit authority hosts "Metro LunchTalk Online"--a live hour-long online chat from noon to 1 p.m. Metro’s two new Red Line Managers will join him to take questions about the new positions and what that means for Metrorail passengers.

"Our online chats have allowed me to engage directly with our customers on a regular basis," Mr. White said. "I will have the new Red Line Managers with me on Friday to help answer customer questions about their new roles at Metro and what that will mean to riders of our Red Line starting in June and riders of our other lines later this year."

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 previous online chats is posted on the web site. 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 May 18, 2005.