MBTA & Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages Kick Off South Station Centennial Celebration

MBTA & Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages Kick Off South Station
Centennial Celebration

Lt. Gov. Swift, Transportation Sec. Sullivan, Mayor Menino
Participate in Gala Ceremony

January 19, 1999

BOSTON -- In a ceremony that evoked memories of Boston's 19th-century
past, Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Jane Swift joined state
Transportation Secretary Kevin Sullivan, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Bell
Atlantic Yellow Pages officials in celebrating the centennial of South Station -
one of the city's most prominent landmarks.

In an opening address, Lt. Gov. Swift paid tribute to the station's 100 years of
service to the Commonwealth, and a century of change since the historic
structure first opened in January 1899. "For economic reasons, and for the
convenience of people who live and work in Massachusetts, it is crucial that
we have a seamless transportation system," said Lt.Gov. Swift.
"South Station is the inter-modal hub that helps move people in to, out of, and
around Boston quickly and conveniently."

During the ceremony, Transportation Secretary Sullivan recalled the
significant role that South Station has played in the city's growth. "In 1899,
the opening of South Station symbolized the freedom and promise of a young,
bustling nation," said Sullivan. "We are proud to celebrate its 100-year
anniversary, and hope that South Station will prosper in the future."

Officials from Bell Atlantic, the centennial's official corporate sponsor,
marked the occasion by introducing a new cover design for all of the
company's 1999-2000 Yellow and White Pages directories. The new,
statewide "Points of Pride" cover designs feature a montage of icons
representing the institutions and activities that give each area in the Bell
Atlantic territory a local identity. More than 2.2 million copies of the new
Boston directories, some of the first to feature the new cover, are currently
being delivered to area residences and businesses.

"Bell Atlantic is proud to help celebrate South Station's 100th birthday," said
Mary Jo Howe, vice president of marketing and customer care for Bell
Atlantic Directory Group. "South Station exemplifies the 'Points of Pride'
concept -- that we take pride in our common goals and shared experiences."

Bell Atlantic also announced several efforts on its part to promote South
Station's centennial, including the donation of a commemorative plaque and
an informational brochure about the building.

The commemorative bronze plaque will be installed in the main concourse of
the station this spring. The brochure, featuring a historical overview of the
station with period photographs, will be available at MBTA information
booths at North and South Stations, and from the Greater Boston Convention
and Visitors Bureau.

"South Station is an important link to Boston's history," said Mayor Menino.
"Today, we celebrate its past as the city's key port of entry, and look towards
the future as South Station continues to flourish."

Lt. Gov. Swift concluded the ceremony by joining other dignitaries in cutting
a celebratory three-dimensional cake whose shape replicated the original
structure of South Station.

South Station opened to the public as the South Terminal Station on January
1, 1899. The building incorporated 200,000 cubic feet of building stone, and
at the time was one of the largest construction projects ever in the United
States. In 1975, the station was placed on the National Register of Historic
Places.

Today, South Station is a mecca for transportation services. The multi-modal
transportation facility conveys passengers via commuter rail, Amtrak, rapid
transit and local and interstate bus services. More than 77,000 commuters
from the south and west of Boston enjoy a relaxing ride to and from South
Station each day, while 20,000 passengers use the Red Line and thousands
more utilize the facility for interstate travel.

Bell Atlantic is the world's largest publisher of Yellow Pages shopping
directories. Its affiliate, Bell Atlantic Electronic Commerce Services, is the
creator of BigYellowSM, a leading national online shopping service.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information
industry. With more than 42 million telephone access lines and more than
eight million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are
premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, and market
leaders in wireless services. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the
world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with
operations and investments in 23 countries.