Reclining leather seats, food and drinks and separation from tourists — imagine that day had come for Metro.
Then think April Fools’ Day.
Cleveland Park Listserv’s readers may have been duped into thinking Metro was going first class on Thursday morning when the newsletter sent what appeared to be a press release from Metro.
The release read: “We’re taking our cues from what works for the airlines,” said Catoe [that’s John Catoe, WMATA’s general manager] in the news release. “Airline passengers are very happy with having the ability to choose what kind of seat and service they want, and we think that Metro riders should have that choice, too.”
Plausible? Maybe.
Tourists would fittingly be afforded a reduced ticket by 10 cents and would sit on hard plastic seats in the last car that was labeled with sunglasses. The first train car would be designated first class with a gold star, with rates increased by 50 cents to attract “upper level political appointees and staffers who want more luxury.” The business class would remain unchanged.
Reasoning: Selling alcoholic beverages on Metro will increase revenue, high-profile people riding Metro reduces limo fuel emission and separating tourists from Washingtonians is just a good idea.
Listserv publisher Bill Adler told Yeas & Nays readers replied to the message saying it was a terrible idea and others just wanted to know more. He planned the gag 11 months prior.
