As gas prices continue to climb and as a recovering economy takes hold, Metro system ridership numbers for September show a continuing increase in weekday boardings.
September was a record setting month for the expanding Metro system in Los Angeles County. The average weekday ridership of 92,120 boardings set a record for the Metro Blue Line. Ridership on the Metro Orange Line, which now includes boardings from the new four-mile extension to Chatsworth, soared to 31,787. After opening two new stations in June, the new Metro Expo Line, which reported 11,347 boarding in its May start-up reports, surpassed 20,000 boardings.
Metro officials point to the roiling fluctuations of gas prices as a major influence on public transportation ridership. But as the economy continues to improve, other factors weigh in on the upward trend, including efforts to combat congestion, a concern for the environment, social media technology and a new generation that chooses bicycling and public transportation over expensive car ownership.
Since September 2011, ridership on Metro’s bus system held steady with a slight increase of 0.8%, averaging more than 1.18 million boarding passengers on an average weekday in September.
Overall, Metro Rail ridership showed a 12% gain over the previous 12 months, totaling 357,096 average weekday boardings on the entire 87.7-mile system. The Metro Blue Line carried an average of 92,120 customers, the Metro Green Line recorded 46,393, the Metro Gold Line logged 41,987 and the Metro Red/Purple Line averaged 155,940 weekday boardings in September.
Technology plays an important role in the growing ridership numbers. According to the 2012 On-board Customer Satisfaction Survey released by Metro’s Research and Program Development Dept., some 58% of public transit users have smart phones they can use to find out when the next bus or train will arrive. Transit apps such as “next bus” and service alerts on Twitter and SMS text messages are communicating service schedules and changes to a greater degree, eliminating a certain amount of wait time. Additionally, advancing passenger counting technology and electronic fare gates are increasing accuracy in ridership reporting.
Offering a variety of ways to “share the ride,” Metro also coordinates an extensive carpool and vanpool program. Commuters can call 323.GO.METRO (323.466.3876) or go to “Commute Services” at metro.net for details.
For Metro’s ridership estimates for September 2012, visit metro.net/news/
