January 2017 Monthly Ridership Report
Ridership Summary |
Executive Summary |
Local Bus |
Red Routes |
Blue Routes |
Green Routes |
Other Routes |
Community Connector |
Light Rail |
Park & Ride
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January 2017 (Fiscal Year 2017) Ridership Summary
Monthly Total Ridership
Average Daily Ridership
This report reflects ridership results as of February 13, 2017
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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 4,857K boardings in January 2017 compared to 4,842K in January 2016, an increase of +15K boardings (or less than one percent increase) on local bus service. The calendar mix of one more weekday and one fewer Saturday as well as one more observed holiday (January 2 – New Year’s Day – observed) relative to the previous year contributed to ridership loss. There was significant rainfall on January 18, 2017 which contributed to a ridership loss as well. Continued economic downturn in the Houston area also contributed to the ridership loss.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership increased on Saturday, while average daily ridership decreased on Weekday and Sunday. Saturday average daily ridership increased by 4K (or 3 percent increase) in January 2017 compared to 2016. Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -2K boardings (or 1 percent decrease), and Sunday average daily ridership decreased by -1K boardings (or 1 percent decrease).
Light Rail
Monthly Total
There were 1,421K boardings on all three light rail lines in January 2017, compared to 1,470K boardings in January 2016, a decrease of -49K boardings (or 3 percent decrease). Green and Purple line ridership increased by 42% and 22% respectively, while Red line ridership decreased by 10% in January 2017 compared to January 2016. There were two additional factors which contributed to a ridership increase and two which contributed to a ridership decrease. First, the Green line was extended to Magnolia Park Transit Center on January 11, 2017. Second, there was an increase in ridership between January 28 and January 31 associated with Super Bowl LI. However, there were multiple service interruptions to address axle counter replacements on North line extension of the Red line during the early part of the month. Finally, continued economic downturn in the Houston area also contributed to the ridership loss.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership on Saturday increased while Weekday and Sunday decreased in January 2017 compared to January 2016. Saturday average daily ridership increased by 3K (or 12 percent increase) while Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -1K boardings (or 2 percent decrease) and Sunday average daily ridership decreased by -4K boardings (or 16 percent decrease). As stated in the paragraph above, the Green line was extended to Magnolia Park Transit Center on January 11, 2017. This extension resulted in two additional stations. In the charts which follow, the total Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday averages for the Green line reflect a weighted average based on the number of days of operation by station. As a result, the sum of the daily averages by station for the Green line will not be equal to the overall total averages because METRO operated service for the entire month on seven rail stations and for part of the month on the remaining two rail stations.
Total Local Network
Monthly Total
There were 6,278K boardings in January 2017 compared to 6,312K in January 2016, a decrease of -34K boardings (or less than 1 percent decrease).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership on the total local network increased on Saturday, while average daily ridership on the total local network decreased on Weekday and Sunday in January 2017 compared to 2016. Saturday average daily ridership increased by 7K boardings (or 5 percent increase), while Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -4K boardings (or 1 percent decrease), and Sunday average daily ridership decreased by -5K (or 4 percent decrease).
Commuter Network Overview
Park & Ride
Monthly Total
There were 632K Park & Ride boardings in January 2017 compared to 670K boardings in January 2016, a decrease of -38K boardings (or 6 percent decrease).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday
Average weekday ridership in January 2017 was 31K boardings compared to 34K boardings January 2016, a decrease of -3K boardings (or 9 percent decrease). According to the most recent Origin-Destination Survey, 94% of all Park and Ride trips are work-based trips. The increase in unemployment is a major contributor to the decrease in ridership.
Entire Network Summary
Monthly Total
There were 6,910K boardings on the entire fixed-route network in January 2017 compared to 6,982K boardings in January 2016, a decrease of -72K boardings (or 1 percent decrease).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership for the entire fixed-route network increased on Saturday while average daily ridership for the entire fixed-route network decreased on Weekday and Sunday. Saturday daily ridership increased by 7K boardings (or 5 percent increase), while Weekday daily ridership decreased by -7K boardings (or 2 percent decrease), and Sunday daily ridership decreased by -5K (or 4 percent decrease).
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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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