Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)

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July 20, 2007
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Jose Ubaldo/Marc Littman
Metro Media Relations
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mediarelations@metro.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro, Metrolink, Amtrak Join to Welcome Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Bellobration! to Los Angeles July 18-22

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• Circus-goers using public transportation will receive discounted tickets to selected performances

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Metrolink and Amtrak have joined forces in a special promotion to encourage circus lovers throughout Southern California to ride public transportation to The Greatest Show On Earth!, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s world-famous circus performing in downtown Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center July 18-22.

Today all three agencies hosted a “mini-circus” at Union Station for 300 school children brought in by train who were entertained by circus clowns before riding transit to a STAPLES Center noontime circus performance.

The promotion itself is the first of its kind, with all three transportation agencies offering $5 discounted tickets to selected performances for everyone who travels to the circus by transit, whether they’re from San Diego, Orange, Ventura, Los Angeles or San Bernardino counties or beyond. All train lines serve Los Anges Union Station. Circus-goers can then take the Metro Red Line with a transfer to the Metro Blue Line Pico Station, where the STAPLES Center is just a short walk away.

Transit riders need only to present their valid transit pass at the STAPLES Center box office to receive the discount off the $15-25 ticket price.

“Metro has joined with its sister transportation agencies to prove that you don’t have to clown around in traffic to access world-class entertainment venues and destinations” said Roger Snoble, Metro CEO. “What better venue to discover the ease of public transportation than the highly entertaining Bellobration! circus that the whole family can enjoy at a reduced price.”

Circus-goers can witness jaw-dropping stunts, high-wire high jinx, tigers, elephants, clowns and a high-energy extravaganza starring comic daredevil Bello Nock. Those arriving an hour before the show can collect autographs, walk the low wire, meet the stars of the show, try on a costume and greet a painting elephant. The All Access Pre-Show is free to all ticket holders.

Metrolink, now in its 14th year of operation, provides seven inter-urban rail lines in Southern California which constitute 54 stations and 40,000 boarding passengers.

This year’s show runs at STAPLES Center Wednesday, July 18 through Sunday July 22 and at the Honda Center of Anaheim Wednesday, July 25 through Sunday, Aug. 5. Honda Center is easily accessed by both Metrolink and Amtrak.

Los Angeles is Amtrak’s fifth busiest station nationwide. Its popular Pacific Surfliner (San Diego – Los Angeles – Santa Barbara – San Luis Obispo) makes 11 daily round trips, making Los Angeles a convenient stop for all long-distance train travelers touring downtown destinations.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains operate 12 daily roundtrips between San Diego and Los Angeles, with five extending to Santa Barbara and two continuing to San Luis Obispo.

“Amtrak is delighted to be one of the transportation partners for this event,” said Brian Hart, Amtrak’s Director of Field Marketing-West. “By traveling to Los Angeles Union Station via Amtrak, Metrolink or Metro, circus-goers can arrive relaxed and ready for all the festivities.”

Discounts for STAPLES Center performances apply to shows July 19 at 7:30 p.m.; July 20 at noon and 7:30 p.m. and July 21 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

At Honda Center of Anaheim discounts are for performances July 26 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; July 27 at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; July 28 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; July 31 at 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 2 at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 4 at 11:30 a.m.

Tickets range in price from $15 to $90. Discounts for Metro, Metrolink and Amtrak riders apply to $15, $19 and $25 tickets. Just show your valid Metro Pass or Metro Rail ticket or Metrolink or Amtrak ticket at the box offices of either STAPLES or the Honda Center. Discounts are also available at www.ticketmaster.com . Simply enter the promotional code TRAIN when purchasing. Or call Ticketmaster at (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000 and mention the promotional code TRAIN. Savings do not apply to Circus Celebrity, Front Row or VIP seats and there is a 6-ticket limit per order. Service charges and handling fees may apply.

For show times visit www.ringling.com . For Metrolink travel information call 1-800-371-LINK; for Amtrak call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com. For Metro information, visit www.metro.net or call 1-800-COMMUTE.

Metro-130 (General)

About California Department of Transportation

The California Department of Transportation partners with Amtrak to provide service on three intercity rail corridors in California. Through a $73 million-per-year annual state operating assistance program and the largest capital assistance program in the nation, the State's Division of Rail supports service between the Bay Area and Sacramento on the Capitol Corridor, between San Francisco/Oakland and Bakersfield on the San Joaquins and in Southern California, between San Diego and San Luis Obispo via Los Angeles and Santa Barbara on the Pacific Surfliner. The California Corridors, operated under the partnership banner, Amtrak California, are the busiest in the nation behind the Washington - Boston Northeast corridor and the Empire corridor serving Albany - New York City.

About Amtrak

Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile route system. For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com.

About Metro

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is unique among the nation’s transportation agencies. It serves as transportation planner and coordinator, designer, builder and operator for one of the country’s largest, most populous counties. More than 9.6 million people – nearly one-third of California’s residents – live, work, and play within its 1,433-square-mile service area.