Nearly 19 million trips were taken on Metrorail in March, the highest monthly total in the transit system’s 30-year history, shattering the previous set last June by more than 160,000 riders, officials said.
Metro tallied 18,716,654 trips in March with an average weekday ridership of 719,861. The previous all-time high for ridership was June 2005, when 18,556,046 passenger trips were taken, officials said.
Ridership on the system continues to grow, with a 6.4 percent increase so far this fiscal year compared to the previous one. On March 31, the system saw its third-highest daily ridership ever, with 808,108 trips — the 17th day in March that the system saw trip counts above 700,000, officials said.
Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel said a stronger commuter base and increased usage by tourists coming to town for the Cherry Blossom Festival led to the record numbers.
Special maps and “walking guides” handed out at Metro stations and hotels in the region have helped visitors better navigate the system, Taubenkibel said.
Metro’s Top 5 Weekday Ridership List
1. June 9, 2004 — 850,636
President Reagan state funeral
2. Jan. 20, 1993 — 811,257
President Clinton’s first inaugural
3. March 31, 2006 — 808,108
Cherry Blossom Festival
4. Oct. 16, 1995 — 804,146
Million Man March
5. July 21, 2005 — 769,553
Nationals game
