PHOENIX — METRO light rail ridership totaled 750,551 boardings in July 2009. The average weekday ridership was 26,554, average Saturday ridership was 22,650 and average Sunday and holiday ridership was 15,151.
METRO provided service for the first time to patrons of July 4th events along the line. METRO served a total of 32,450 riders on Saturday, July 4 – 67 percent more than a typical Saturday in July.
July’s ridership is the lowest since METRO’s opening, but it comes at no surprise. “Our experience is in line with what occurs on the Valley’s bus system, arterial roadways and highways – there are just fewer people traveling the metro area in the summer months,” commented METRO CEO Rick Simonetta. “This is the valley before fall ridership peaks.”
It is also worth noting that on July 1 a regional fare increase initiated affecting bus and light rail fares. Although the summer heat and increased fare costs have an impact on ridership, METRO remains above its original projection of 26,000 average weekday riders.
METRO will continue to monitor ridership and report new totals on a regular basis.
(source: Valley Metro)
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