103 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, 5/12/22

 

Metro ridership rises, but not enough to alter financial projections

 

  Metro continues to search for ways to increase rail riders, whose fares heavily contribute to the agency’s annual budget

 

 

Riders returning to Metro in recent weeks have raised optimism at the transit agency, but the increases are largely occurring on the less-lucrative bus system. Transit officials on Thursday sought ways to similarly re-energize Metrorail in a bid to ease a looming pandemic-induced budget shortfall.

 

SNIP

 

Metrorail last week averaged 223,600 daily trips on weekdays, about 35 percent of pre-pandemic levels, while Metrobus averaged 297,600 daily trips, or 88 percent of trips taken before the pandemic. The bus system, which charges lower fares and carries riders who typically have lower incomes and fewer transportation alternatives than rail riders, accounts for about 60 percent of Metro riders.

 

Metrorail carried almost twice as many passengers as the bus system before the pandemic.

 

 

More here.   

[KevinKorell]

DCist,  5/12/22:
 

 

   WMATA Is Considering Making Some Railcars Mask-Only  

 

 

WMATA is considering designating some railcars as mask-only, after making face coverings optional on all its services in April. But the tri-jurisdictional government agency is concerned about enforcement, amid increased assaults and threats against workers during the pandemic.

 

Full story

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, Washington, DC 3/2/23

 

Metrorail reaches pandemic-era record for ridership

 

The number of riders on the system remains at about half of pre-pandemic ridership because of widespread telework

 

More riders took Metro on Wednesday than any other day since the pandemic began, the transit agency said Thursday, raising optimism that a new increase in passengers could be on the way after months of ridership plateaus.

 

 

Transit officials announced on Twitter that about 318,000 trips were taken Wednesday on Metrorail, which is 5,500 more than Metro’s previous pandemic-era high on Oct. 12.  . . .

 

 

Continue here.  

[KevinKorell]

GW Hatchet,  4/17/23:

 

 

  Metro ridership surges at Foggy Bottom Metro station in pandemic rebound      

 

Nasir Shahid has watched four decades of change at the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station.

 

Shahid, who began selling D.C.-themed merchandise in front of the station 40 years ago, said he saw the COVID-19 pandemic diminished foot traffic through the Foggy Bottom Metro station as tourists and office workers stayed home.

 

Story