Metro ridership is outpacing transit agency projections, raising optimism after significant drops in fare revenue while putting pressure on the system to solve a train shortage and alleviate crowding.
The number of passengers on the Metro rail and bus systems combined is 40 percent higher than agency expectations set more than a year ago, Metro officials said Monday. Ridership in recent weeks has doubled since March 2021, coming as many offices across the Washington area have reopened for work.
Metro said the return to offices, higher gas prices and rebounding tourism are fueling the growth. The increase is a bright spot for a region and transit agency seeking a return to normal, though significant challenges remain as Metro stares down a budget shortfall and federal safety probe that has shaken rider confidence and lengthened train wait times.
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