Metro Unveils TV Ads to Promote Silver Line Opening

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority on Monday unveiled three TV ads to help increase public awareness of the Silver Line.  

The 15-second commercials, which will begin airing later this week, encourage the region to “look alive, good times are ahead,” while highlighting the benefits of the new line: access to employment, entertainment and shopping without the hassles of traffic or the expense of gas and parking, according to a news release from Metro.

“Now that opening day is in sight, it’s time to get a little excited,” said Lynn Bowersox, Metro Assistant General Manager, in the news release. “These ads are intended to showcase the benefits of the Silver Line and get the word out about the opening date.”

The opening date is Saturday, July 26.

Metro has been conducting outreach to educate current and prospective Silver Line riders across the region for several months, distributing more than 100,000 pieces of information at stations and community events, sporting venues and area festivals.  

The information includes a Silver Line brochure and an updated Rider’s guide featuring the new system map. A special website, silverlinemetro.com, has detailed information regarding the five new stations, parking and biking, fares, and points of local interest.

“The campaign moves us from ‘how to ride’ to ‘why to ride’,” said Bowersox.  "While keeping our message entertaining, we hope to make commuters and leisure travelers alike think about the opportunities that come along with the new Silver Line.”

Silver Line trains will run between Wiehle-Reston East station in Virginia and Largo Town Center station in Maryland, making all stops through Downtown D.C. The first phase of the line, opening on July 26, includes five new stations along an 11-mile extension of the Metrorail system.  A second phase of the line will eventually extend to Washington Dulles International Airport west to Ashburn.

Phase 1 of the project will add four new stations in Tysons, Virginia’s largest employment center, and one station in Reston.