D.C. Area’s Metro System to Consider Selling Naming or Branding Rights to Increase Ad Revenue

The D.C.-area’s Metro system is set to consider selling the naming or branding rights to stations or even entire bus routes or Metro lines, reports WTOP, which added that Assistant General Manager of Customer Service, Communications and Marketing Lynn Bowersox is expected to outline for the Metro Board committee on July 13 “what Metro could gain from such a deal as part of a broader effort to increase advertising revenue. The Metro Board’s Customer Service, Operations and Security Committee is expected to vote next week on whether to move forward with selling naming rights, according to documents for a Northern Virginia Transportation Commission meeting held Thursday night.

“While one Metro source described next week’s presentation as just the beginning of a conversation, some board members believe selling naming rights could be one of the best ways to prevent another round of fare increases next year to address a projected budget gap.”