Metro News Release

For immediate release: July 6, 2005

Extra Service Lined Up to Get Fans To and From Thursday Afternoon’s Baseball Game

Extra service will be in place to get fans to and from RFK Stadium on Thursday as the Washington Nationals host the New York Mets at 1:05 p.m. Metro is preparing to handle the anticipated crowds with extra trains and personnel, and reminding everyone to have enough money on their farecard or SmarTrip card when leaving Metro after the game.

On Monday afternoon, Metro trains carried over 40 percent of the sell out crowd and similar crowds are expected. "With Thursday’s game starting at 1:05 p.m. and ending during the afternoon rush hour, we want to advise baseball fans what they can do to make their ride smooth and comfortable going to and from the game," said Steven Feil, Metro’s Chief Operating Officer for Metrorail.

On Thursday, patrons can expect the following Metro services:

Metro will operate six-car trains on the Red, Blue and Orange Lines leading up to game time. Trains will come every 6 to 10 minutes.

Prior to the game, additional trains will be deployed if necessary on the Blue and Orange Lines depending on the size of the crowds.

After the game, Metro will deploy additional trains, including eight-car trains, if necessary, to clear the Stadium-Armory Metrorail station platform.

Metro reminds patrons to use both entrances at the Stadium-Armory Metrorail station. The main entrance, closest to the stadium, is located at 19^th Street and Independence Avenue, S.E. The second entrance is two blocks away at 19^th Street between C and Burke Streets, S.E.

Metro will have additional station managers, rail supervisors, and Transit Police at Stadium-Armory to assist customers with service questions, and directions how to get to and from the stadium.

Patrons are reminded to exercise care and caution when traveling  through the Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail stations after the game as crowded conditions will exist as the game will conclude during afternoon rush hour.

Metro reminds all patrons attending the baseball game to have the appropriate value on their SmarTrip cards to exit Metro parking facilities after the game and to check their farecard to ensure they have enough money to enter the Metrorail system.

News release issued on July 6, 2005.