Last week, we wondered what happened to the planned "Take Metro to the New Ballpark" marketing campaign - well, that was quick.

The Nationals rolled out a publicity campaign this week featuring our favorite seventh inning stretch dignitaries, urging the public to use "hassle-free ways to get to the ballpark." The campaign, which is appearing as bumpers in local news websites, revolves around a comprehensive website - which not only promotes Metrorail use, but other alternatives like busing, biking, and the Nats Express, a shuttle bus that will run to the stadium from RFK.

Additionally, WTOP's Adam Tuss reports that Metro and the D.C. Department of Transportation are at least beginning to get some concrete logistical details together before the March 30 opener. One significant development:

Riders should be aware that the Navy Yard Station entrance closest to the ballpark will be "exit only," starting three hours before games. After games, it will be "entrance only."

Of course, the station is still undergoing work to expand capacity; Metro expects it to be completely ready in time for the first game. It's a good thing, too, since Green Line ridership is expected to triple on game days.

After the jump: another chat with Catoe is on the books, and new Metro numbers to ponder.

Photo by andertho. Joshua Davis contributed.

John Catoe, Channeling His Inner Steve Jobs : WMATA general manager John Catoe will be hosting his monthly lunchtime internet chat Friday at noon. While this may seem nothing more than a mundane public official obligation, Catoe has developed a Jobsian trend of making announcements during these monthly chats - in December 2007, Catoe revealed that Metro would consider a proposed Blue Line "split," and last March, he announced the change of some station lights to red instead of yellow. It's no iPhone, but for transit buffs, it doesn't get much better. If your lunch hour is better spent not nerding out over transit announcements, you can get the transcript of the chat afterwards, along with every chat he's done since his installation as the boss of the DC transit world.

Fares Up, Service Down. Metro Ridership Increasing?: Here's something to keep an eye on in the next few weeks - WMATA claims that Metro saw a 6 percent increase in ridership over February of last year - this on top of the 6 percent increase the system saw from January to February 2008. The on-time ratios have seen better days, and it's more expensive than last year. So what's the reason?

BRT for Arlington?: Arlington's new chairman of Metro listed building bus rapid transit as one of his priorities. Chris Zimmerman's idea is to use the shoulders of existing highways and roads, and have buses speed past crawling traffic. He doesn't have any firm plans yet, but has asked Metro General Manager John Catoe and the Metro board to draw up plans for his 100 mile proposal. In the wake of the federal government suggesting BRT over the Silver Line, let's hope Metro still focuses on heavy rail. Local development blog BeyondDC put it this way, "We do want to take a moment and note that BRT, great as it is on its own terms, is not a replacement for rail." - Joshua Davis

Engines and Cabooses: Ward 1 D.C. Council member Jim Graham on renaming a Metro stop after Nationals Stadium's to be determined corporate sponsor: "There is not going to be a Quaker Oats or Ford Metro station"...WMATA will offer a special unlimited-rides "Pope Pass" for Benedict XVI's visit on April 22...Metro will pay for "secret shoppers" to test the rider-friendliness of the system throughout the next month.