September 2016 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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September 2016 (Fiscal Year 2016) Ridership Summary
Monthly Total Ridership
Average Daily Ridership
This report reflects ridership results as of October 18, 2016
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Executive Summary
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 5,136,304 boarding’s in September 2016 compared to 5,026,409 in September 2015, an increase of 109,895 boardings (or 2 percent increase) on local bus service. There were the same number of weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays in both September 2016 as in September 2015. There were no days with significant rain amounts or high temperatures in either September 2016 or September 2015. Total rainfall for the current month was 1.71 inches, or approximately half an inch less than last year. This is the first comparable year-to-year results of New Bus Network – without major variables – and average daily as well as monthly aggregate ridership increased despite the slowing economy. In comparison, other major Texas transit agencies continue to report ridership losses on local bus.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average Weekday ridership increased by 3,030 boardings (or 2 percent increase) in September 2016 compared to 2015. One year after implementation of the New Bus Network, ridership growth continues on Saturday (approximately 3 percent) and Sunday (approximately 7 percent).
Light Rail
Monthly Total
There were 1,551,253 boardings on all three light rail lines in September 2016, compared to 1,625,287 in September 2015, a decrease of -74,034 boardings (or 5 percent decrease). Red line ridership was down 7% over September 2015 while the Green and Purple lines each had increases of slightly over 13% relative to last year.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership on Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday all decreased in 2016 compared to 2015. Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -3,002 boardings (or 5 percent), Saturday average daily ridership decreased by -1,711 boardings (or 5 percent), and Sunday average daily ridership decreased by -4,702 (or 18 percent). The decline in average Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday ridership is the result of the ridership decline year-to-year on the Red line. Average Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday ridership on both the Green and Purple lines increased in September 2016 compared to 2015.
Total Local Network
Monthly Total
There were 6,687,558 boarding’s in September 2016 compared to 6,651,696 in September 2015, an increase of 35,862 boardings (or 1 percent increase).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Overall daily ridership on Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday on all three lines combined reported decreases in September 2016 compared to September 2015. Weekday average daily ridership decreased by 3,002 boardings (or 5 percent); Saturday average daily ridership decreased by 1,711 boardings (or 5 percent); and Sunday average daily ridership decreased by 4,703 (or 18 percent). However, average Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday ridership on the Green and Purple lines all showed increases over the previous year. The overall losses in average daily ridership reflect losses on the Red line.
Commuter Network Overview
Park & Ride
Monthly Total
There were 702,254 Park & Ride boardings in September 2016 compared to 741,473 boardings in September 2015, a decrease of -39,219 boardings (or 5 percent decrease).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday
Average weekday ridership in September 2016 was 33,437 boardings, a decrease of -2,366 boardings compared to September 2015 (a 7 percent loss). According to the most recent Origin-Destination Survey, more than 95% 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 7,389,812 boardings on the entire fixed-route network in September 2016 compared to 7,393,169 in September 2015, a decrease of -3,358 boardings (or less than half a percent decrease). Year-to-year comparisons for the entire fiscal year(s) show a 5.6% increase in Local Network boardings (local bus + light rail), while the entire fixed route network is up 4.9%. Although FY2016 included an extra day in February (2016 is a leap year), there was severe weather in October 2015, April 2016 and June 2016. Overall ridership increased during a fiscal year which experienced extensive layoffs in one of the region’s top industries – Oil & Gas – and other Texas transit agencies had consistent ridership losses.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership for the entire fixed-route network increased on Saturday and Sunday, with the weekend showing 1 percent gain. Average Weekday ridership decreased by 1 percent year-to-year.
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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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