Metro News Release

For immediate release: January 6, 2009

Metro opens up more automobile parking, scales back charter bus access for Inauguration

Automobile parking now at all but one Metrorail station on Inauguration Day

Due to a low demand for charter bus parking reservations, Metro is opening up thousands of spaces for automobiles at all but one Metrorail station parking lot.

Metro initially set aside parking for 1,100 charter buses, but has only received requests from 35 to park in its lots on Inauguration Day (Jan. 20). Metro officials say they will accommodate the charter companies that made reservations, but are no longer taking any more requests for charter bus parking. No passenger vehicle with more than 15 people will be permitted to drop off passengers at any Metro station for safety reasons.

“Because of limited demand, we can now offer nearly 60,000 spaces for automobiles to park,” said Sara Wilson, Metro assistant general manager of corporate strategy and communications. “Motorists will now be able to park at the Greenbelt, Morgan Boulevard and Van Dorn Street Metrorail station parking lots along with the others.”

The transit agency announced last month it was closing the three lots and limiting parking at the Vienna, West Falls Church and Shady Grove rail stations to accommodate an estimated 1,100 charter buses for Inauguration Day. The Minnesota Avenue station parking lot, which has 333 spaces, will be closed to provide parking for Metro employees working on Inauguration Day.

Metro has about 60,000 parking spaces in 29 lots and 22 garages throughout the Washington region.

Metrorail parking facilities will open at 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday Jan. 20. Metro will charge $4 (cash only) per automobile for parking on Inauguration Day at all Metrorail lots and garages.

News release issued at 4:27 pm, January 6, 2009.