WASHINGTON — Ridership for the DC Metro rail system has dropped below an average of 600,000 weekday trips — the lowest figure since 2000, before the original system was completed.
The Washington Post reports that the number of average trips for the period between July and December was 595,000, a significant fall from the 2008 peak of 750,000. And Metro is projecting further drops in the upcoming fiscal year as it undertakes major capital projects: beginning in May, six stations will be closed for three months as their platforms are rebuilt.
Metro’s general manager has proposed several initiatives to improve ridership in the budget for the 2020 fiscal year, which begins July 1. They include increased service on two routes, an expanded window of rush-hour service, longer trainsets, and a flat $2 weekend fare.
But outside observers, including Metro’s Riders’ Advisory Council, say the plans don’t go far enough, while Maryland and Virginia, which provide part of Metro’s funding, indicate they are unwilling to provide the extra funding needed for such moves.
“I think the board is very concerned about ridership,” Metro board Chairman Jack Evans told the Post. “But I think that at least with Maryland and Virginia, they are also very concerned about cost. And it appears the cost — at least as we got into these budget discussions — the cost was overrunning the ridership issue.”
