Metro to stay open until 1 a.m. Thursday, March 17

Metro issued this release about train service during the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament at the Verizon Center: 

"Metro will stay open until 1 a.m. to accommodate the crowds expected to attend the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament at the Verizon Center on Thursday, March 17. 

In anticipation of large crowds at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station (Red, Yellow and Green lines) on Thursday, March 17, and Saturday, March 19, Metro will have additional trains available to place into service after the first, third and fourth games on Thursday, March 17, and both games on Saturday, March 19. Additional station managers and personnel will be at the station=s 7th and F Street entrance to assist customers. 

The NCAA Basketball Tournament schedule is: 
Thursday, March 17 
Game 1 at 12:40 p.m.; Game 2 starts 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game #1 
Game 3 at 7:20 p.m.; Game 4 starts 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game #3 

Saturday, March 19 
Start times to be determined following Thursday’s games 

On Thursday, Metro encourages regular commuters who work near the Verizon Center to use the other Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail stations entrances at 9th and G Street, N.W., and 7th and H Street, N.W., or to use the Judiciary Square station at 5th and F Street, N.W., to avoid the crowds. 

Upon entering the Metrorail system, customers are reminded to have enough fare value on their SmarTrip card or paper farecard to make a round-trip. 

On weekdays, riders must have a SmarTrip card to pay for parking at Metrorail parking facilities. Parking is free on the weekends. 

For more information on traveling Metrobus and Metrorail, please call (202) 637-7000 or visit Metro=s website at www.metroopensdoors.com. 
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News release issued at 10:22 am, March 16, 2011."