Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 27, 2006

Metrorail Turns 30 Today

The region has reason to celebrate! Metro turned 30 today, Monday, March 27, 2006. Today marks the date 30 years ago when the system first operated its trains for commuters to go from the Rhode Island Avenue, Union Station, Judiciary Square, and Metro Center stations to the Farragut North Station on the Red Line. (The Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro Station opened nine months later, in December 1976.)

On this date in 1976, the Metrorail system opened with great fanfare including marching bands, ceremonial ribbons, banners flying high and crowds limed up as far as the eye could see. There were 51,260 people who took a free ride that day. Two days later, on March 29, 1976, Metrorail had its first revenue day, with 19,913 people paying 55 cents each to ride.

In March 2006 – 30 years after opening day – Metrorail carries nearly 700,000 passengers each weekday across 106.1 miles of track on five rail lines. The system has 86 stations.

"The complexity of traveling throughout the region would be unimaginable without the transportation marvel we call Metro," stated Metro Board Chairperson Gladys Mack. "Metro is a uniquely unifying force in this region which has improved our lives, our travel options, and our environment over the years."

On Thursday, April 6, Metro will celebrate its 30^th anniversary of Metrorail with a kickoff celebration at the Carmen E. Turner Training and Maintenance Facility in Landover, Md. From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the program will be dedicated to employees with 30 years of dedicated service at Metro.

News release issued on March 27, 2006.