Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 18, 2003

Tuesday’s high Metrorail ridership sees fifth day this month

In top 26 of Metrorail history

Yesterday’s Metrorail ridership was the fifth day this month that has seen ridership make the top 26 list in the 27 years since Metrorail began operation. Yesterday’s ridership of 696,215 ranked 19th on the list and elevated June 2003 to the month that is represented most frequently on the list. Yet at no time during this month’s high five days was there a special event to help boost ridership.

The next most popular month represented in Metro’s high ridership list was April 2002 when four dates made the list; however, all of those four high ridership days came when there were special events taking place in the District of Columbia" a Pro Israel Rally and three days during the Cherry Blossom Festival.

An average weekday usually sees Metrorail ridership in the 650,000 to 670,000 range. The majority of riders travel during the morning and afternoon commute times; however, during mid-day and evening hours, the Metrorail system has much more capacity to carry customers. Weekends also tend to see considerably fewer riders in the Metrorail system, with fewer than 300,000 customers, another time when there is plenty of room to ride on Metrorail.

Metro’s High Ridership Days for June 2003 And Where They Rank in Metrorail’s History

News release issued on June 18, 2003.