Metro News Release

For immediate release: July 21, 2005

Metro to Enhance Reliability of the Passenger Information Display Monitors

Metro is enhancing the reliability of its passenger information display monitors on Metrorail station platforms by installing software inside the monitors that will alert officials immediately if a monitor malfunctions.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) Board of Directors today authorized $200,000 to purchase remote monitoring equipment that will be installed in each display board located on Metrorail station platforms. The software will allow Metro personnel to immediately identify when a problem occurs with a specific monitor in the Metrorail system.

Earlier this year, Metro upgraded the passenger information display monitors at station platforms to include train length information and a new screen format to display arrival information for up to three incoming trains.

"We are committed to making the passenger information display monitors reliable for our customers and this action will take it one step further," said Dana Kauffman, Chairman of Metro’s Board of Directors.

The remote monitoring system should be fully installed by next year.

News release issued on July 21, 2005.