Metro light rail ridership numbers – December 2011 is a post from: Rail Life

The December 2011 METRO light rail ridership numbers finished with 998,991 boardings marking just the third time in 2011 that “ridership” fell below the one million mark. Overall, another pretty impressive year for growth with 4.3% gains over 2010 boardings.

December’s averages show lower weekday and weekend traffic from the previous month. Of course, a lot of that decline can probably be from ASU students being gone for winter break.

December 2011 ridership numbers look like this:

Total Boardings for December: 998,991 vs 1,075,956 in November:

Avg. Weekday Boardings: 35,379 vs 42,451 in November:

Avg Saturday Boardings: 30,473 vs 30,672 in November:

Avg Sunday / Holiday Boardings: 17,070 vs 20,956 in November:

The light rail ridership numbers from December of 2010 show 959,340 which is 4.1% less than this months totals.

Overall, METRO had 13.2 million boardings in 2011. Not too shabby.

*source of numbers: METRO light rail*

Metro light rail ridership numbers – November 2011 is a post from: Rail Life

The November 2011 METRO light rail ridership numbers couldn’t quite keep up with the record setting back to back months from September and October. November’s averages all took a hit with weekday and weekend traffic below falling below the previous month. At 1,075,956, November did keep the million + boardings per month total for the fourth month in a row making it 9 of 11 months so far this year to exceed 1 million boardings.

November 2011 ridership numbers look like this:

Total Boardings for November: 1,075,956 vs. 1,258,711 in October:

Avg. Weekday Boardings: 42,451 vs 45,867 in October:

Avg Saturday Boardings: 30,672 vs. 36,725 in October:

Avg Sunday / Holiday Boardings: 20,956 vs. 22,376 in October:

The light rail ridership numbers from November of 2010 show 1,080,495 which is .4% greater than this months totals. For 2011, 8 of the 11 months have seen positive growth over 2010.

Next month will be interesting to see what happens while ASU students are away from home / school. Stay tuned!

*source of numbers: METRO light rail*

Metro light rail ridership numbers – October 2011 is a post from: Rail Life

The October 2011 METRO light rail ridership numbers came in at an impressive 1,258,711 topping last months record setting total. Yes, two record setting months, back to back.   October’s average weekend traffic was higher than the previous month but weekday traffic fell slightly. 

October 2011 ridership numbers look like this:

Total Boardings for October: 1,258,711 vs. 1,241,701 in September:

Avg. Weekday Boardings: 45,867 vs. 47,818 in September:

Avg Saturday Boardings: 36,725 vs. 34,520 in September:

Avg Sunday / Holiday Boardings: 22,376 vs. 19,887 in September:

The light rail ridership numbers from October of 2010 show 1,165,737 which is 7.9% less than this months totals. We’ll see what happens in November. Any bets saying they can make three record setting months in a row? We say it would be tough but, ya’ never know…

*source of numbers: METRO light rail*

Another Record Month For Phoenix Light Rail Ridership is a post from: Rail Life

Well, it’s starting to sound like a broken record but METRO continues to post increases in light rail ridership. Check this out:

METRO ridership peaks again in October Breaking the record set in September 2011

PHOENIX, AZ — METRO light rail saw its highest ridership on record in September 2011, only to have the record broke again one month later.  METRO had 1,258,711 total boardings in October, an eight percent increase over October 2010 and the highest in the system’s history.

“The increase can be attributed to a number of different factors including a large number of conventions, the Arizona Diamondbacks reaching the playoffs and Arizona State University football drawing a crowd,” said METRO CEO Steve Banta.  “But it’s not solely events, it’s positive growth in response to good, quality service.”

METRO served a total of 55 special events, within a half-mile of the line, with an estimated attendance of 603,500.  The events range from conventions, to concerts, to charity walks and festivals.  The Arizona Diamondbacks had two home playoff games in October; however, the Phoenix Suns have yet to initiate their season, which typically starts in October.

METRO averaged 45,867 daily weekday riders in October; 36,725 daily riders on Saturdays; and 22,376 on Sundays.  The Saturday average is also the highest on record.

Click here for complete METRO ridership information

Metro light rail ridership numbers – September 2011 is a post from: Rail Life

The September 2011 METRO light rail ridership numbers came in at an impressive 1,241,701 which was the systems best month yet in the nearly three years of operations.  METRO also saw its highest ridership day yet with 60,437 riders ( boardings? ) on Friday, Sept. 9. September’s average weekday boardings were more than 7,000 over the previous month at 47,818 per day. ( wowza )

September 2011 ridership numbers look like this:

Total Boardings for September: 1,241,701 vs. 1,124,074 in August:

Avg. Weekday Boardings: 47,818 vs. 40,417 in August:

Avg Saturday Boardings: 34,520 vs. 28,847 in August:

Avg Sunday / Holiday Boardings: 19,887 vs. 19,773 in August:

The light rail ridership numbers from September of 2010 show 1,179,952 which is 5.2% less than this months totals. So far, 7 of 9 months in 2011 show an increase in ridership over 2010.

*source of numbers: METRO light rail*

Metro light rail ridership numbers – August 2011 is a post from: Rail Life

The August 2011 METRO light rail ridership numbers are back in the $1 million + range that had been away for a couple of months. Total ridership according to METRO came in at 1,124,074. ( not too shabby ) It would make sense to say that ASU students have a lot to do with this months success. For the month of August, average weekday and average Saturday were above the previous months numbers with the average Sunday / holiday number below July’s big holiday ridership totals.

August 2011 ridership numbers look like this:

Total Boardings for August: 1,124,074 vs. 940,364 in July:

Avg. Weekday Boardings: 40,417 vs. 33,488 in July:

Avg Saturday Boardings: 28,847 vs. 25,558 in July:

Avg Sunday / Holiday Boardings: 19,773 vs. 23,803 in July:

The numbers from August of 2010 show 1,027,760 which is 9.4% less than this months ridership totals. In fact, 6 of the 8 months of 2011 show an increase in ridership over 2010.

*source of numbers: METRO light rail*

Metro light rail ridership numbers – July 2011 is a post from: Rail Life

The July 2011 METRO light rail ridership numbers came in at 940,364. It’s a pretty big number but with the huge ridership days of the 4th of July and the MLB All Star Game, most expected the number to be big. Heck, METRO claims that 200,000 rode light rail during the 5 days of the All Star festivities. For the month of July, average weekday and average Saturday were below the previous month.

July 2011 ridership numbers look like this:

Total Boardings for July: 940,364 vs 924,547 in June:

Avg. Weekday Boardings: 33,488 vs 33,824 in June:

Avg Saturday Boardings: 25,558 vs 26,296 in June:

Avg Sunday / Holiday Boardings: 23,803 vs 18,808 in June:

The numbers form July of 2010 show 858,404 and METRO seemed pretty happy to see the “10% increase in ridership.” The summer months are hot, ASU is out and people get out of town. Once the weather cools off a bit, we will probably see the return of the one million + numbers again. Keep cool, folks!

*source of numbers: METRO light rail*

METRO Numbers From MLB All Star Game is a post from: Rail Life

We hear a lot about the success of the Phoenix light rail system and about the ridership numbers being higher than expected. Ever since since opening day in 2008, people have looked to METRO as a very convenient way to get to many places along the 20 mile line. Sporting events along the line are very popular destinations with light rail riders. As I was discussing the All Star ridership numbers with my friend, Jay Thompson yesterday he said, “We love taking the light rail to baseball games.”

Speaking of All Star numbers, here is the latest report from METRO concerning the 2011 MLB All Star game. Look for July to be a huge month for METRO. The 4th of July saw a TON of traffic, as well!

METRO light rail serves 200,000 across the five days of MLB All-Star

PHOENIX, AZ — With the additional capacity of three-car trains, METRO light rail served more than 51,000 riders on game day, July 12, and nearly 200,000 across the five days (July 8 – 12) of Major League Baseball’s All-Star 2011.  Typical daily ridership in July is 29,000.

“We put our best foot forward to provide good, quality service to those visiting the Phoenix area for the first time and to take care of our everyday riders,” said METRO CEO Steve Banta.  “We appreciate the support of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball for seeing value in our service and allowing us to take part in the All-Star Red Carpet event on Tuesday.”

MLB All-Star-wrapped trains traveled through the Red Carpet parade on July 12 that welcomed All-Star players and their families into Chase Field, the site of the All-Star game later that evening.  The red carpet ran adjacent to the light rail tracks on Jefferson St. in downtown Phoenix.  For photos of this event, visit METRO’s Facebook page.

"METRO light rail has positively impacted our fan experience since its arrival," said D-backs President and CEO Derrick Hall.  "We greatly appreciate the cooperation, spirit and generosity from its leadership around the All-Star events.  They had all baseball fans and their best interests in mind and provided clean, comfortable, efficient and first-class value."

METRO also provided service to many new, local riders who took advantage of the MLB All-Star opportunity to try transit.

“The kids and I rode the [light] rail yesterday from Mesa to Phoenix for MLB FanFest!  It was easy and fun (and AIR CONDITIONED!!!),” said mother and first-time rider Wendy Dunn.

For more information on METRO light rail, visit www.metrolightrail.org.

** All Star ridership information provided via press release from METRO light rail.**

Metro light rail ridership numbers – June 2011 is a post from: Rail Life

The June 2011 METRO light rail ridership numbers came in at 924,547 which is the 4th declining month in a row. Average weekday, average Saturday and average Sunday / holiday were once again down from the month before.

June 2011 ridership numbers look like this:

Total Boardings for June: 924,547 vs 1,018,684 in May:

Avg. Weekday Boardings: 33,824 vs 37,298 in May:

Avg Saturday Boardings: 26,296 vs 28,613 in May:

Avg Sunday / Holiday Boardings: 18,808 vs 20,162 in May:

July of 2012 should be a big month for light rail ridership as the july 4th celebrations and the 2012 MLB All Star numbers should be big. Stick around, we should have the totals, soon.

*source of numbers: METRO light rail*

Metro light rail ridership numbers – May 2011 is a post from: Rail Life

The May 2011 METRO light rail ridership numbers were 190,026 less than April 2011. Average weekday, average Saturday and average Sunday / holiday were each down from the month before but the monthly total is 2.7% higher than May of 2010.

May 2011 ridership numbers look like this:

Total Boardings for May: 1,018,684 vs 1,208,710 in April:

Avg. Weekday Boardings: 37,298 vs 45,146 in April:

Avg Saturday Boardings: 28,613 vs 35,047 in April:

Avg Sunday / Holiday Boardings: 20,162 vs 21,350 in April:

May of 2010 saw boardings of 991,999. As the weather heats up in the Summer and ASU students are out of school, it will be interesting to watch to see if the trends will continue to be mostly upward.

*source of numbers: METRO light rail*