PRESS RELEASES from WMATA

Jan. 14, 2013
Metro outlines final plans for Inauguration Weekend

Metro will operate for 22 hours on Inauguration Day, opening three hours early at 4 a.m. and remaining open until 2 a.m. From the time the system opens, trains will operate at rush-hour service levels for 17 consecutive hours, until 9 p.m., to accommodate expected crowds.

The following is a summary of Metro service plans for Inauguration Weekend 2013:

On Saturday, January 19:

  • Metrorail and Metrobus service will operate on a regular Saturday schedule.
  • Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at 3 a.m. with no scheduled track work anywhere on the system.
  • Parking will be free at Metro-operated facilities, and off-peak fares will be in effect.

On Sunday, January 20:

  • Metrorail and Metrobus service will operate on a regular Sunday schedule.
  • Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight with no scheduled track work anywhere on the system.
  • Parking will be free at Metro-operated facilities, and off-peak fares will be in effect.
  • The only planned service change on Sunday will affect Judiciary Square Station, where the F Street entrance will close at 4 p.m. for the remainder of the day due to an event at the National Building Museum.  Customers will be able to enter and exit the station using the 4th Street entrance. Elevator service will remain available at all times.

On Inauguration Day, Monday, January 21:

  • Metrorail will open at 4 a.m. and close at 2 a.m.
  • Rush hour service will operate from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m. with peak fares in effect during that time. After 9 p.m., off-peak fares will be in effect.
  • The "Rush+" service pattern will not be in effect, and Yellow Line trains will operate only between Huntington and Gallery Place, due to an event at the Convention Center. View Metro service map for Inauguration Day.
  • Three Metrorail stations will be closed on Inauguration Day: Smithsonian, Archives and Mt. Vernon Square.
  • The four Metrorail stations closest to the Capitol should only be used by those with Inauguration tickets. They are: Union Station, Judiciary Square, Capitol South and Federal Center SW.
  • At Metro-operated parking garages and lots, standard weekday parking rates will be charged upon exit from the facility. The fee can be paid with value on a SmarTrip card or major credit card.
  • Metrobus service will operate a regular weekday schedule, with an early PM rush hour for the benefit of Inauguration attendees heading home after the ceremony and parade.
  • Several dozen Metrobus routes will be shortened due to road closures near the National Mall. Customers should check Metro's Inauguration Day map for special "turn back" locations in Downtown DC. Those customers traveling beyond the National Mall should use Metrorail to complete their trip.

Important Travel Tips for Inauguration Travelers

Download the Metro Inauguration Rider Guide (pdf)

  • Purchase a farecard or SmarTrip® card in advance for everyone in your group to avoid long lines on Inauguration Day. Each traveler age 5 or older will need his or her own card to enter and exit the Metrorail system. You can buy cards online at wmata.com, regional transit stores or at any Metrorail station, Metro sales office or local CVS, Giant or Safeway stores. Be sure to load enough value on the SmarTrip® or farecard for your entire trip. To determine your fare, visit the station information page for your origin station. If you use a paper farecard, a $1 surcharge applies for each Metrorail trip you take.
     
  • Avoid transferring between Metrorail lines. There is a station near the National Mall on each of Metro's five rail lines. Use Metro's "Best Route" trip planner at wmata.com/inauguration to find the best station to use.
  • Sign up for Metro Inauguration Alerts at wmata.com/inauguration. By email and text message, Metro will provide real-time updates of any service changes over Inauguration Weekend, as well as important news about traveling on Metro prior to the event. Customers can also follow Metro's special Inauguration Day Twitter account @MetroInaug.
     
  • Metro expects high ridership to Inaugural events. Be prepared for long lines, full trains and buses and the possibility of intermittent delays due to large crowds. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes.
     
  • Washington is a walkable city. On Inauguration Day, consider avoiding crowded stations and trains by walking up to two miles to reach your destination. View walking map. After the ceremony, consider lingering in Downtown DC until crowding eases.
     
  • Bicycles, large coolers or containers will not be permitted aboard Metrorail during Inauguration Weekend (Saturday through Monday). Prohibited items at Inauguration events include weapons, explosives, backpacks, laser pointers, alcohol, sticks and poles. For a complete list of prohibited items, check the website for your event. Also, smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited within the Metro system, including trains, buses and stations.

Metro Preparations

  • Metro's planning efforts for Inauguration Day began nearly a year ago and have included countless meetings -- both internal and with external partners including the United States Secret Service, Presidential Inaugural Committee, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, the District Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Police and others.
     
  • Over the past two months, Metro support departments have worked around the clock -- quietly, behind the scenes -- to perform hundreds of inspections of critical infrastructure, including power substations, signal system components, station equipment and railcars.
     
  • More than 200 of Metro's administrative employees have volunteered to serve as "Metro Ambassadors" on Inauguration Day. From departments that include Accounting, Planning, Human Resources and Government Relations, the Ambassadors will be available at Metro's busiest rail stations to assist visitors with purchasing fare media and finding their way. Customers will be able to identify Ambassadors by looking for their high-visibility reflective vests.
     
  • Metro Transit Police will augment their full compliment of officers with nearly 150 police officers from transit systems across the nation. The additional officers will go through a weekend of training and familiarization before being deputized to serve on Inauguration Day.
     
  • Metro will activate its Emergency Operations Command Center at 3 a.m. on Inauguration Day. The Center will allow high-level representatives from all mission-critical departments to share information in real time and to respond to any operational issues that may arise. Metro Transit Police will provide representation in the US Secret Service's Multi Agency Command Center, and Metro Media Relations staff will provide coverage in the US Secret Service's Joint Information Center.

News release issued at 2:37 pm, January 14, 2013.


Jan. 11, 2013
Metro Commemorative Inauguration SmarTrip sales ramp up
More than 20,000 sold to date

Metro has sold its 20,000th Commemorative SmarTrip card for this year's Presidential Inauguration, and the pace of sales is intensifying.  At Metro sales offices, the pace of sales has more than doubled over the past week, from an average of about 150 per day at Metro Center to more than 400 per day this week.

"The demand for Inaugural SmarTrip cards has steadily increased as we approach Inauguration Day," said Lynn Bowersox, Metro Assistant General Manager for Customer Service, Communications and Marketing.  "Besides being an excellent way to avoid lines at ticket machines on Inauguration Day, the cards are a wonderful keepsake of this historic day."

The Commemorative Inaugural SmarTrip features an image of President Obama and comes preloaded with a one-day pass that allows for unlimited Metrorail trips on the day it is used.  As an added bonus, the card can be used as a "flash pass" for unlimited Metrobus travel on Inauguration Day.

Metro is encouraging residents in the National Capital Region to purchase the Commemorative Card for their out-of-town visitors who plan to attend Inauguration festivities. 

After the one-day pass is used, the Commemorative cards may be reloaded and used like any other SmarTrip.

The cards are available online at wmata.com/inauguration, at Metro Sales Offices or regional transit stores.  Customers ordering online should do prior to January 15 to ensure delivery by Inauguration Day.

Metro Sales Offices

Metro Headquarters (Main Entrance)
600 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC
Open weekdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Metro Center Sales Office
12th and F Street, NW  (Metro Center station)
Washington, DC 
Open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Metro Pentagon Sales Office
Pentagon Transit Center
Upper level bus bay
Arlington, VA 
Open weekdays 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Northern Metrobus Garage
4615 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC
Open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Metro Anacostia Sales Office 
Anacostia Metrorail Station, Mezzanine Level, Bus Bay Exit
1101 Howard Road, SE
Washington, DC 20020
Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

News release issued at 1:47 pm, January 11, 2013.


WASHINGTON, June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former Presidential Candidate Gary Bauer congratulated Governor Scott Walker for his win in Wisconsin's recall election, calling it "another sign that taxpayers will award office holders ready to do the hard work of reigning in out-of-control government spending."

Bauer, the chairman of the Campaign for Working Families,  made the following statement:

"I congratulate Governor Scott Walker for his hard-fought victory tonight, and most especially for having the courage of his convictions to fight the good fight. But the victory in Wisconsin is not Scott Walker's alone.  It is a victory for the hard-working taxpayers of Wisconsin, who foot the bill year after year.  It is a victory for common sense over powerful special interests.  It is a victory that taxpayers in every state can celebrate.  It is a victory, yes, even for some union members.

"Since Gov. Walker's reforms were enacted, tens of thousands of state employees have opted to keep more of the money they earn rather than let the public employees union siphon off their hard-earned dollars.  In other words, once given the choice, more than half of the public employees union's members decided that they didn't need the union.  These reforms will pay real dividends for the taxpayers of Wisconsin.  They are the real winners tonight.

"The recall election is a sign of good things to come.  The power of the Big Labor bosses has finally been checked, not just in Wisconsin, but also in scores of other states across the country.  More governors, legislators and taxpayers will be inspired to stand up against the liberal labor unions and do what is truly in the best interests of their communities.  Wisconsin's 10 Electoral College votes are now in play, and the anti-tax, small government movement that swept the country in 2010 is about to sweep Barack Obama out of office in 154 days!"

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1drYR)