Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 9, 2006

Public forums on MetroAccess service set for March 13

The Riders’ Advisory Council and the Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee are sponsoring two forums for MetroAccess riders on Monday, March 13. The forums are being held to allow riders to voice their concerns about MetroAccess service. MetroAccess service is provided to people with disabilities for whom Metrobus and Metrorail are not accessible.

The forums will take place between 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. on March 13, at Metro Headquarters 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. MetroAccess riders and others who are interested in improving MetroAccess are invited to speak abut the service, and to explore possible solutions with Metro officials, MV Transportation (the service provider) and leaders of both the Riders’ Advisory Council and Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee. Members of Metro’s Board of Directors have also been invited to attend.

Between 5 and 7 p.m., MetroAccess riders will be able to present individual concerns one-on-one with staff from MetroAccess and MV Transportation.

“MetroAccess riders deserve the opportunity to make their voice heard and they also deserve significant, sustainable improvements in service,” said Dennis Jaffe, Chairman of the Riders Advisory Council.

Comments from the meeting will be sent to the recently created Ad hoc MetroAccess Advisory Committee. The group, made up of members of the Metro Board, the Riders’ Advisory Council, the Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee, disability community advocates and MetroAccess users, is expected to issue an interim report on improvements in April.

For more information on the forums, contact Mr. Jaffe at dennisjaffe@gmail.com.

News release issued on March 9, 2006.