March 2020 Monthly Ridership Report
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March 2020 (Fiscal Year 2020) Ridership Summary
Monthly Total Ridership
Average Daily Ridership
This report reflects ridership results as of April 20, 2020
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Executive Summary
Ridership Factors This Month
The above table serves as a snapshot of the typical factors that impact ridership, and illustrates the differences which exist between the current month and the same month in the previous year. If a change occurred, it is categorized to represent a (typically) positive, negative or neutral impact on ridership. More details on the observed impacts are noted in the description of ridership results below.
Local Network Overview
Local Bus
Monthly Total
There were 3,895K boarding in March 2020 compared to 4,897K in March 2019, a decrease of approximately 1,003K boardings (or 20 percent) on local bus service. The major factor contributing to the significant ridership decrease in local bus, light rail, and Park & Ride bus was COVID-19. Actions during March 2020 that negatively affected METRO ridership included: 1) issuance of an emergency disaster declaration by the City of Houston and Harris County on March 11; 2) closure of the 2020 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on the same day; 3) issuance of a “Stay Home, Work Home” order by Harris County on March 24; and 4) adjustment of service levels to reflect decreasing ridership and reduced operator availability during the month. Additionally, measures taken to encourage social distancing included restricting the number of passengers boarding any individual bus and / or rail car.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership increased on Weekday, Saturday and Sunday prior to service modifications for COVID-19. Weekday average daily ridership increased by approximately 10K boardings (or 5 percent), Saturday average daily ridership increased by 1K boardings (or 1 percent) and Sunday average daily ridership increased by approximately 4K (or 4 percent) in March 2020 compared to March 2019.
Light Rail
Monthly Total
There were 1,264K boardings on all three light rail lines and 14k boardings on bus bridges in March 2020 compared to 1,875K boardings on all three light rail lines and 0 boardings on bus bridges in March 2019, a decrease of 598K boardings (or 32 percent). Red line ridership decreased by 34 percent, Green line ridership decreased by 30 percent, and Purple line ridership decreased by 26 percent in March 2020 compared to March 2019.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average Weekday ridership on the Red, Green, and Purple lines increased by less than 2K boardings (or 4 percent), decreased by less than 1K boardings (or 2 percent) and increased by less than 1K boardings (or 6 percent) respectively in March 2020 compared to March 2019 prior to service modifications for COVID-19. Due to the combination of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a Houston Roughnecks football game, and COVID-19, there was no average Saturday during March 2020 for ridership comparison March 2019. Average Sunday ridership on Red, Green, and Purple lines decreased by less than 2K (or 9 percent), increased by less than 1K boardings (or 10 percent), and increased by less than 1K boardings (or 22 percent) respectively in March 2020 compared to March 2019.
Total Local Network
Monthly Total
There were approximately 5,173K boardings in March 2020 compared to approximately 6,773K in March 2019, a decrease of 1,600K boardings (or 24 percent).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average local network increased on Weekday and Sunday in March 2020 compared to March 2019. Average Weekday ridership increased by approximately 12K boardings (or 5 percent) while and average Sunday ridership increased by approximately 3K boardings (or 2 percent) in March 2020 compared to March 2019.
Commuter Network Overview
Park & Ride
Monthly Total
There were 384K Park and Ride boardings in March 2020 compared to approximately 650K boardings in March 2019, a decrease of approximately 266K boardings (or 41 percent).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday
Average Weekday ridership in March 2020 was approximately 33K boardings compared to approximately 31K boardings March 2019, an increase of 2K boardings (or 7 percent) prior to service modifications for COVID-19.
Entire Network Summary
Monthly Total
There were 5,557K boardings on the entire fixed-route network in March 2020 compared to 7,4220K boardings in March 2019, a decrease of 1,865K boardings (or 25 percent). Relevant factors were noted earlier and are included in the table above.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership increased on Weekday and Sunday in March 2020 compared to March 2019 prior to service modifications for COVID-19. Average weekday ridership increased by approximately 14K boardings (or 5 percent), and average Sunday ridership increased by approximately 3K (or 2 percent) in March 2020 compared to March 2019.
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Local Network: Local Bus
Service Map
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Red Routes (15 Minute Off-Peak Service)
Average Daily Ridership & Performance Indicators
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Blue Routes (20 - 30 Minute Off-Peak Service)
Average Daily Ridership & Performance Indicators
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Green Routes (60 Minute Off-Peak Service)
Average Daily Ridership & Performance Indicators
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Other Routes
Average Weekday Ridership & Performance Indicators
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Average Daily Ridership & Performance Indicators
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Local Network: Light Rail Service Map
Local Network: Light Rail
Average Daily Ridership
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Commuter Network: Park & Ride Service Map
Commuter Network: Park & Ride
Average Weekday Ridership & Performance Indicators
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