D.C.: Metro Ridership Is Down, But Transit Experts Aren't Worried

Metro is losing rail ridership, and fare revenues are falling short of projections, but transportation planners and policy experts say the short-term losses don't signal significant trouble -- especially since the transit agency is central to the region’s economic growth in the coming decades.

Metro’s fiscal 2013 operating budget performance review blamed a four percent drop in rail ridership (nine million fewer trips were taken than anticipated) on several factors: changes to the federal transit commuter benefit, a fare increase, and the system shutdowns caused by Hurricane Sandy and an unplanned-for federal furlough.

And weekend ridership, which accounts for only 15 percent of overall ridership, dropped significantly, mostly due to weekend track work that reduces service.

Rider frustration, though, is harder to quantify. Anecdotally passengers use social media to vent their frustrations at Metro’s near-daily breakdowns and service disruptions, as well as long weekend wait times caused by the repair work. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/transportation-nation/2013/sep/12/metro-ridership-down-transit-experts-arent-worried/