Metro News Release
For immediate release: November 7, 2007
Metrorail sees double digit growth in ridership over last five years
Metrorail ridership has grown by the equivalent of a small city over the last five years.
That’s according to the transit agency’s latest passenger survey, which found ridership increased more than 11 percent, or 70,000 people. The 2007 survey recorded more than 717,000 average weekday passenger trips compared with more than 647,000 trips noted during the last survey in 2002.
More Metrorail riders live in the District of Columbia than any other area in the region, nearly 27 percent -- a 17 percent increase over the last five years, which is more than double the growth seen in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and quadruple the growth seen in the nearby Virginia suburbs. Most of the growth was around stations that have seen more retail and residential development over the last several years. There was also a 22 percent increase in evening ridership with more people using rail to attend events, shop, dine and enjoy other activities.
“The survey shows more residents are using Metrorail. It’s a great way to get around in the city,” said Metro General Manager John Catoe. “I’m delighted people see Metro as a better option than driving.”
More than 18 percent of riders live in Montgomery County, Md., and 16 percent live in Prince George’s County, Md. -- a combined 8 percent growth since 2002. Nearly 13 percent of riders live in Fairfax County, Va., 9 percent in Arlington County, Va., 4 percent come from Alexandria and less than 1 percent live in Falls Church and the City of Fairfax. Metro saw 4 percent more rail riders come from those northern Virginia localities. Twelve percent of daily riders live outside of the local governments that help subsidize the system, a 22 percent growth from 2002.
“We’re seeing people come as far away as West Virgnia and Pennsylvania using our system,” said Nat Bottigheimer, Assistant General Manager of Planning and Joint Development. “People are traveling from Baltimore, Charles and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland and Loudoun, Faquier and Stafford counties in Virginia.”
Most people walk to Metrorail, 33 percent, followed by driving and parking, 29 percent, and 22 percent of riders get to the stations by bus.
“It’s very encouraging to see a 26 percent increase in people using the bus to get to rail stations during morning rush hours, which we believe is the result of Metro and other bus systems providing more frequent and reliable service,” said Bottigheimer.
The number of walkers increased by 18 percent and the number of bicyclists grew by 60 percent during the morning rush hours, while the number of people parking at Metrorail stations didn’t change significantly.
“We believe we are seeing more people walk due to development around stations. We attracted more bicyclists by nearly doubling the number of bike racks and lockers over the last few years. We believe we didn’t see much change in the number of people parking because many lots are filled to capacity,” said Bottigheimer.
About 66,000 or 9 percent of Metro passengers were surveyed over a month-long period between April and May 2007. Overall, the survey has a margin of error of less than half of a percent. The survey is used for service and station access planning and is a factor in determining the amounts of money local governments pay to help fund Metro’s operating budget.
News release issued at 12:00 am, November 7, 2007.