News

More St. Louis Area Commuters Choosing Public Transit Than a Year Ago

Dianne Williams
Director of Communications
314-982-1440

Metro ridership is up for the first six months of Fiscal Year 2012 (July 2011-December 2011). System-wide, ridership on MetroLink, MetroBus, and Metro Call‑A‑Ride increased eight percent over the same period in the previous year.

Metro recorded 23,371,166 boardings from July 2011 through December 2011. During the same time period in Fiscal Year 2011, Metro recorded 21,610,892 boardings.

“Systemwide, Metro is seeing ridership return largely because of service restoration in 2010. Ridership was stronger in Fiscal Year 2011 than the year before, and the growth is continuing. An improving economy and employment situation, and a mild winter this year, are also helping increase ridership,” said Ray Friem, Metro’s Chief Operating Officer.

MetroBus saw the largest ridership increase among the three transit services provided by Metro. In the first six months of Fiscal Year 2012, MetroBus ridership was up 11.1 percent. In December 2011 alone, MetroBus was up 18.3 percent over the previous December.

MetroLink recorded a 3.6 percent increase during the first six months of Fiscal Year 2012.

Metro Call‑A‑Ride, which provides curb-to-curb service primarily for the elderly and persons with disabilities, recorded a 1.9 percent increase during the first six months of Fiscal Year 2012.

Rising gas prices may also impact Metro ridership numbers in the months ahead. According to the American Public Transportation Association, $5 per gallon gas could spur up to 1.5 billion additional passenger trips on U.S. public transportation systems.

“As many commuters already know, we are a great option to rising gas prices. And what’s more, we are well positioned to welcome new riders aboard,” added Friem.