Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 19, 2005

Metro adopts privacy policy and makes other records easier to access

A new privacy policy adopted by the Metro Board today protects the privacy of customers’ personal information. The new policy was designed to protect the privacy of individuals by disclosure without prior written authorization from the person. It assures individuals access to their own information and an accounting of disclosures. It establishes rules regarding the collection and use of data such as that recorded by SmarTrip or credit card usage in the Metro system.

The Board also approved changes to its Public Access to Records Policy (PARP), more closely aligning it with the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and federal practice although it is tailored to the way that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) operates.

The changes to records policy conforms time frames for processing requests with FOIA; tailors FOIA’s exemptions to Metro’s operations; provides for judicial review; and exempts individual SmarTrip data/information from disclosure except in limited instances.

News release issued on May 19, 2005.