WASHINGTON, D.C.—January 13, 2009—The Washington Post today announced it will provide transportation alerts to people using mobile devices in the D.C.-area on Inauguration Day. The tools will report traffic delays and tips to help people avoid congestion and navigate crowds. Users can sign up for text and E-mail alerts, follow a special Twitter or RSS feed or visit Inauguration Central on washingtonpost.com.

“With millions of people expected to attend one of the biggest D.C. events in decades, we’re experimenting with new ways to bring users the information they need to easily get around the city,” said Jonathan Krim, Assistant Managing Editor for Local News at washingtonpost.com. “Our mobile alerts will provide news and advice on the quickest routes to and from Inaugural events and the areas to avoid, helping people keep from getting stuck in transit and spend more time witnessing this historic moment.”

The alerts will provide information on closures of roads, bridges subways and bus routes, weather updates, and other news affecting how people can avoid gridlock. Visitors and residents can also send in information about what they are experiencing in their areas. Users can provide information by text message, Twitter or E-mail. The two-way dialogue with users will help The Post deliver the best, real-time information to all who sign up.

Mobile alerts will begin at 5 a.m. on January 20th. They are available on both Web-enabled and non-Web enabled mobile devices and will run throughout the day and evening. Users can sign up to receive mobile alerts using the following link: www.washintonpost.com/inaugurationsurvival

• Text alert—Sign up for mobile alerts by texting “INAUG” to WPOST (97678). (Users will receive up to 30 messages a day.)
• Twitter—Register on Twitter for follow “Dr. Gridlock.” Post Transportation Reporter Robert Thompson provides personal transit updates, plus links to important news articles: www.twitter.com/drgridlock
• E-Mail alert—Sign up to receive E-mail alerts. The E-mail address to send information to The Post is: tellus@washingtonpost.com
• Mobile Site—Go to Inauguration Central on washingtonpost.com’s mobile site: www.twp.com/inauguration

This is one of The Post’s first large-scale initiatives using mobile technology and user collaboration to deliver local transit news. After Inauguration Day, users will continue to receive relevant D.C.-area or national news alerts, unless they choose to cancel this service (standard text messaging rates apply on all SMS services).

On washingtonpost.com, users will also have the opportunity to submit questions and join in a live discussion with Director of Public and Government Relations for AAA Mid-Atlantic Lon Anderson on January 15th at 2 pm ET to get tips on travel to, in and around the region. Eric Weiss and Lena Sun, hosts of the regular “Roads and Rails” discussion, will be available on January 19th at 11 am ET. A transcript from the Post’s local transportation expert Robert Thompson, from his regular “Dr. Gridlock” discussion earlier this week, is also available. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/liveonline/

The Going Out Guide lets users quickly find near-by restaurants, bars, clubs and events from their mobile devices. Users can visit The Going Out Guide at the following link: www.twp.com/gog
The Going Out Guide is also available to iPhone users as a downloadable application: www.washingtonpost.com/mobile

The latest Inaugural news, maps and event information is available on Inauguration Central, washingtonpost.com’s source for all Inaugural news. www.washingtonpost.com/inauguration

The Washington Post’s mobile site is available at the following link: www.twp.com

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About The Washington Post
The Washington Post is the flagship newspaper of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO), a diversified education and media company whose principal operations include educational and career services, newspaper and magazine publishing, television broadcasting, cable television systems and electronic information services. In addition to The Washington Post, the Company owns Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive (WPNI), the online publishing subsidiary whose flagship products include washingtonpost.com, Newsweek.com, Slate, BudgetTravel.com, Sprig.com and TheRoot.com; Express; El Tiempo Latino; The Gazette and Southern Maryland Newspapers; The Herald (Everett, WA); Newsweek magazine; Post-Newsweek Stations (Detroit, Houston, Miami, Orlando, San Antonio and Jacksonville); Cable ONE, serving subscribers in midwestern, western and southern states; and CourseAdvisor, an online lead generation provider.

The Company also owns Kaplan, Inc., a leading global provider of educational services to individuals, schools and businesses, serving over one million students with operations in more than 30 countries. Its international programs include higher education, test preparation, language instruction and professional training.

The Company has ownership interests in the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service and Bowater Mersey Paper Company.