Photo by Skip Lawrence Commuters head in different directions as the 5:22 p.m. MARC commuter train pulls out of Frederick Station after dropping off about 40 passengers recently.

"I am comfortable saying there will be MARC Train service on Inauguration Day," said Glenn Saffran Jr., deputy director of MARC Train services.

The schedule for the day's events probably will not reflect the usual MARC service, which is geared too heavily to morning trips, Saffran said.

MARC Train representatives have been meeting with CSX and Amtrak, both of which run the train system, to compile alternative schedules for Jan. 20.

"We're still in very, very preliminary talks," said John Hovatter, director of MARC Train services.

"As a federal holiday in Washington and the surrounding areas, a lot of private employers will allow people to take the day off," Saffran said. "It doesn't make sense to run the normal train schedule. We're trying to put something together that's better suited."

Saffran said that if Inauguration Day were like any other federal holiday, MARC probably would run a reduced service, but knowing there will be a huge demand that day, it plans to run all of the train cars into Washington.

"We'd be fools not to take advantage of it," he said.

Hovatter cites consideration of the MARC train employees working on the holiday and the "serious budget crunch" he said the company is in as reasons for a delayed decision.

He said an Inauguration Day schedule shouldn't be expected before Thanksgiving, as officials are in the development stages, running ideas past several parties involved.

Saffran projects that MARC will accommodate about 20,000 riders for Inauguration Day.

"MARC will be operating train service in some fashion," Saffran said. "Probably everything we have."

Cabs, limos prepare

"We're geared up. We expect a big day," said Blaine Young, co-owner of Yellow Cab/City Cab Co.

He is communicating with the local hospitality industry, letting them know that he has a fleet of 61 cars ready for Inauguration Day.

"We can do anything from your basic taxi to minivans to a luxury town car," he said.

Young's company is taking requests for Jan. 20, as is A Touch of Class Limousines, according to owner Jennifer Cuozzo.

"I've started to get a lot of inquiries," she said. "I haven't gotten a lot of bookings yet at this point."

Cuozzo is hoping to hold out on requests for pickups in Washington and Northern Virginia, for those locals who might be looking for limo service for the event.

"It's harder to anticipate D.C. traffic, which makes it harder on the chauffeurs. It's easier in Frederick ," she said.

Bowie Taxi is making preparations for 12-passenger vans to supply transportation to Washington, manager Byron Bowie said.

"It's in the works. If we have an overwhelming response, we'll rent more vans," he said.

Young said he already started receiving phone calls and e-mails, and is anticipating a busy day.

"Obviously we'll be at full staff," he said of the more than 100 drivers who work in shifts over 24 hours. "We'll have to be able to service those going to D.C. and people in town going to the grocery store," he said.

"We want to make sure that people who are staying here can get to D.C. in whatever fashion they need."