Posted on January 15, 2009
Some amazing numbers about this historical and record-breaking event:
$40 million, the estimated cost of the inaugural parade, balls, opening ceremonies, giant television screens on National Mall and other expenses for the Presidential Inaugural Committee. 432, total Presidential Inaugural Committee staff members. 0, how many of the free 240,000 tickets that have been distributed thus far for the swearing-in ceremony. They go out this coming week. 58, law-enforcement and other agencies working on security. 8,000, District of Columbia police officers on duty, and those hired from departments around the country. 1,000, U.S. Park Police officers on duty, and those hired from outside departments. 550, Metro transit police on duty, and those hired from outside departments. 10,000, National Guardsmen helping law enforcement agencies in and around the city. 120,000, passengers Metro trains can carry per hour on Inauguration Day. 2 million, inauguration subway maps Metro is printing. 10,000, charter buses expected to descend on the city. 600, hotel rooms left in Washington. 90,000, unique hits that Destination D.C., the city's tourism bureau, has received on its inauguration Web site. 13,000, military and civilian participants in the inaugural parade, including marching bands. 112, light bulbs replaced in lampposts on Pennsylvania Avenue parade route. 10, large screens broadcasting swearing-in on the National Mall. 1,000, vendors so far who have received licensed spots to sell wares around parade route and city streets. 15,000 to 18,000, volunteers helping Presidential Inaugural Committee around the city. 4,100, minimum number of portable toilets available to the public. 10, official inaugural balls. 12,000, eggs that chefs at the Willard InterContinental Hotel will use for meals from Jan. 17 through the inauguration. 10,000, square footage of the swearing-in stage. and finally....
6, number of bicycle rickshaws D.C. Pedicab plans to operate.
