Metro extends distribution contract with Dutch Railways

METRO EXTENDS DISTRIBUTION CONTRACT WITH DUTCH RAILWAYS Metro International S.A. ("Metro"), the international newspaper group, today announced that it has prolonged its distribution contract with Nederlandse Spoorwegen until 1st July 2009. The agreement gives Metro the right to distribute the Metro free newspaper from racks in Holland's national railway network which is used by more than one million commuters every day. Metro Holland is currently distributing the Metro newspaper throughout Holland at 219 railway stations and has had an agreement with Nederlandse Spoorwegen to distribute Metro through its network since launch in June 1999. Metro is the fastest growing newspaper in Holland and has 1.28 million daily readers. The contract was initially awarded for a period of five years with the option for a further five-year extension. Silvio de Groot, CEO Metro Holland, commented: "Distribution through the country's railway network has been a successful way of reaching the people of Holland since Metro's launch in 1999, clearly establishing Metro on the Dutch Media landscape. We are grateful for Nederlandse Spoorwegen's continuing support". Pelle Törnberg, President and CEO of Metro International, commented: "Our Dutch operations have now been profitable for three consecutive quarters and more than doubled their operating profit year on year in the second quarter of 2003. Metro has been distributed nationally since launch and the railway network is an efficient means of reaching the young professional commuting public that Metro targets". For further information, please visit www.metro.lu, email info@metro.lu or contact: Pelle Törnberg, President & CEO tel: +44 (0) 20 7016 1300 Matthew Hooper, Investor & Press Relations tel: +44 (0) 20 7321 5010 Metro is the world's largest free newspaper, publishing and distributing 25 editions in 16 countries in 14 languages: Stockholm, Prague, Gothenburg, Hungary, the Netherlands, Helsinki, Malmö, Santiago, Philadelphia, Toronto, Rome, Milan, Warsaw, Athens, Montreal, Barcelona, Boston, Madrid, Copenhagen, Aarhus, Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Hong Kong and Seoul. Metro International S.A. 'A' and 'B' shares are listed on the Stockholmsbörsen 'O-List' and on the Nasdaq stock market under the symbols MTROA and MTROB. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/02/20030902BIT00370/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/02/20030902BIT00370/wkr0002.pdf