Metro News Release

For immediate release: January 21, 2010

Metro ready for winter weather tonight and Friday

Winter-weather fighting equipment and personnel ready for inclement weather

Metro is preparing for an expected wintry mix of precipitation that is in the forecast for tonight, Jan. 21, and Friday, Jan. 22. Metrobus and MetroAccess service may be impacted by the weather, more so than Metrorail service.

Metrobus and MetroAccess service are only as reliable as road conditions allow, so passengers should expect possible detours and delays due to changing road conditions. Customers may want to take advantage of the Next Bus prediction technology to get an idea when the next bus will arrive by logging onto Metro’s web site or calling 202-637-7000 and saying “Next Bus,” then entering the bus stop ID number. MetroAccess passengers with scheduled trips can call 301-562-5360 for a status update on their ride.

Metrorail is expected to operate very close to normal schedule. Still, customers may experience crowded conditions when commuters leave their cars at home and use Metro on snowy days. Metro may use snow and ice clearing equipment between regularly scheduled passenger trains, which may cause longer waits between trains to allow time for the snow to be cleared.

Based on the forecast, Metro employees already have started to stage equipment and personnel to prepare for the inclement weather. Winter weather fighting equipment and supplies are on hand and being staged throughout the rail system to treat station entrances, parking lots, walkways and station platforms. Customers are advised to watch their step as wet tiles and steps may get slippery in the Metrorail system.

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Media contact for this news release: Steven Taubenkibel or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.

News release issued at 4:30 pm, January 21, 2010.