January 18, 2005: NORTON HELPS TOURIST INDUSTRY GET SOME OF THOSE INAUGURAL DOLLARS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2005
NORTON HELPS TOURIST INDUSTRY GET SOME OF THOSE INAUGURAL DOLLARS
Washington, D.C.--Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has worked with D.C.’s tourist sector and Metro to get Metrorail to remain open three extra hours (until 3:00 a.m.) on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 to accommodate the many inauguration parties throughout the city. A representative from the tourist sector contacted Norton in the hope of arranging late hours for Metrorail Wednesday night to accommodate the thousands of visitors to the District for the inauguration festivities. Norton acted to carry out her primary goal -- to encourage downtown tourism sites to remain open so that the city benefits from the thousands of visitors who will be in town for the Inauguration parade and other activities.
However, Metro said that it would have to be reimbursed for the additional operating costs which arise from extended hours of Metro rail operation. Norton praised the tourist sector and the Presidential Inaugural Committee for responding by putting up the necessary funds. Consequently, Metro will now run from its usual time at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19th to 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 20th and will reopen at 5:00 a.m. that same day.
Norton is encouraging visitors and regional and D.C. residents to use Metro this week to avoid the inconvenience of street closures and security restrictions, and also encourages tourist attractions to stay open on both Wednesday, January 19th and Inauguration Day, January 20th.
“With thousands of tourists here who will have no place in particular to go, D.C. should be open for fun. Residents may not have invitations to the balls, but D.C. shouldn’t miss cashing in on at least some of the tourist revenue. D.C. business can have its own party downtown and invite us all,” Norton said.