December 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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December 2016 (Fiscal Year 2017) Ridership Summary
Monthly Total Ridership
Average Daily Ridership
This report reflects ridership results as of January 9, 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 4,651K boardings in December 2016 compared to 4,871K in December 2015, a decrease of -221K boardings (or 5 percent decrease) on local bus service. A negative calendar mix of one fewer weekday and one more Saturday as well as one more observed holiday (December 26 – Christmas Day – observed) relative to the previous year contributed to ridership loss. Continued economic downturn in the Houston area also contributed to the ridership loss.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership decreased on Weekday, Saturday and Sunday. Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -11K boardings (or 6 percent decrease), Saturday average daily ridership decreased by -2K boardings (or 1 percent decrease) and Sunday average daily ridership decreased by -12K (or 13 percent increase) in December 2016 compared to 2015.
Light Rail
Monthly Total
There were 1,300K boardings on all three light rail lines in December 2016, compared to 1,431K boardings in December 2015, a decrease of -131K boardings (or 9 percent decrease). Red, Green, and Purple line ridership were down 9%, 3% and 35% respectively over December 2015. There were multiple service interruptions to address axle counter replacements on Green and Purple during December 2016 with 19K in bus bridge boardings offsetting a portion of the rail ridership decrease. Continued economic downturn in the Houston area also contributed to the ridership loss.
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership on Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday decreased in December 2016 compared to December 2015. Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -4K boardings (or 7 percent decrease) while Saturday average daily ridership decreased by -3K boardings (or 9 percent decrease) and Sunday average daily ridership decreased by -2K boardings (or 9 percent decrease).
Total Local Network
Monthly Total
There were 5,950K boardings in December 2016 compared to 6,302K in December 2015, a decrease of -352K boardings (or 6 percent decrease).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership on the total local network decreased on Weekday, while average daily ridership on the total local network increased on Saturday and Sunday in December 2016 compared to 2015. Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -15K boardings (or 6 percent decrease), Saturday average daily ridership decreased by -4K boardings (or 3 percent decrease), and Sunday average daily ridership decreased by -14K (or 12 percent decrease).
Commuter Network Overview
Park & Ride
Monthly Total
There were 498K Park & Ride boardings in December 2016 compared to 610K boardings in December 2015, a decrease of -113K boardings (or 18 percent decrease).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday
Average weekday ridership in December 2016 was 23K boardings compared to 30K boardings December 2015, a decrease of -6K boardings (or 21 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 6,448K boardings on the entire fixed-route network in December 2016 compared to 6,912K boardings in December 2015, a decrease of -464K boardings (or 7 percent decrease).
Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday
Average daily ridership for the entire fixed-route network decreased on Weekday, Saturday and Sunday. Weekday daily ridership decreased by -21K boardings (or 8 percent decrease), Saturday daily ridership decreased by -4K boardings (or 3 percent decrease), and Sunday daily ridership decreased by -14K (or 12 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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