September 2020 Monthly Ridership Report
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September 2020 (Fiscal Year 2020) Ridership Summary
Monthly Total Ridership
Average Daily Ridership
This report reflects ridership results as of October 7, 2020
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 approximately 2,639K boarding in September 2020 compared to approximately 4,926K in September 2019, a decrease of 2,287K boardings (or 46 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. Three other factors that also contributed to METRO ridership loss included 1) “Stay Home, Work Home” order still in effect; 2) adjustment of service levels to reflect decreasing ridership; and 3) Tropical Storm Beta (September 22 – 23, 2020). 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 decreased on Weekday, Saturday and Sunday. Weekday average daily ridership decreased by approximately 103K boardings (or 51 percent), Saturday average daily ridership decreased by 48K boardings (or 38 percent) and Sunday average daily ridership decreased by 40K (or 39 percent) in September 2020 compared to September 2019.
Light Rail
Monthly Total
There were 692K boardings on all three light rail lines and 8K boardings on bus bridges in September 2020 compared to 1,517K boardings on all three light rail lines and 1K boardings on bus bridges in September 2019, a decrease of 818K boardings (or 54% percent). Red line ridership decreased by 53 percent, Green line ridership decreased by 47 percent, and Purple line ridership decreased by 67 percent in September 2020 compared to September 2019.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average Weekday ridership on the Red, Green, and Purple lines decreased by 28K boardings (or 55 percent), decreased by 3K boardings (or 51 percent) and decreased by 5K boardings (or 70 percent) respectively in September 2020 compared to September 2019. Average Saturday ridership on Red, Green, and Purple lines decreased by 10K boardings (or 45 percent), decreased by 2K boardings (or 47 percent), and decreased by 3K boardings (or 59 percent) respectively in September 2020 compared to September 2019. Average Sunday ridership on Red, Green, and Purple lines decreased by 7K (or 39 percent), decreased by 1K boardings (or 41 percent), and decreased by less than 2K boardings (or 52 percent) respectively in September 2020 compared to September 2019.
Total Local Network
Monthly Total
There were 3,339K boardings in September 2020 compared to 6,444K in September 2019, a decrease of 3,105K boardings (or 48 percent).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average local network decreased on Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday in September 2020 compared to September 2019. Average Weekday ridership decreased by approximately 139K boardings (or 52 percent) Saturday average daily ridership decreased by approximately 63K boardings (or 40 percent) while and average Sunday ridership decreased by 50K boardings (or 39 percent) in September 2020 compared to September 2019.
Commuter Network Overview
Park & Ride
Monthly Total
There were approximately 84K Park and Ride boardings in September 2020 compared to 665K boardings in September 2019, a decrease of approximately 581K boardings (or 87 percent).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday
Average Weekday ridership in September 2020 was 4K boardings compared to 35K boardings September 2019, a decrease of 31K boardings (or 88 percent).
Entire Network Summary
Monthly Total
There were approximately 3,424K boardings on the entire fixed-route network in September 2020 compared to approximately 7,109K boardings in September 2019, a decrease of 3,686K boardings (or 52 percent). Relevant factors were noted earlier and are included in the table above.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership decreased on Weekday, Saturday and Sunday in September 2020 compared to September 2019 prior to service modifications for COVID-19. Average weekday ridership decreased by 170K boardings (or 56 percent), average Saturday ridership decreased by approximately 63K boardings (or 40 percent) and average Sunday ridership decreased by 50K (or 39 percent) in September 2020 compared to September 2019.
Local Network: Local Bus
Service Map
Red Routes (15 Minute Off-Peak Service)
Average Daily Ridership & Performance Indicators
Blue Routes (20 - 30 Minute Off-Peak Service)
Average Daily Ridership & Performance Indicators
Green Routes (60 Minute Off-Peak Service)
Average Daily Ridership & Performance Indicators
Other Routes
Average Weekday Ridership & Performance Indicators
Average Daily Ridership & Performance Indicators
Local Network: Light Rail Service Map
Local Network: Light Rail
Average Daily Ridership
Commuter Network: Park & Ride Service Map
Commuter Network: Park & Ride
Average Weekday Ridership & Performance Indicators
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