LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Metrolink achieved its highest annual ridership last year, with nearly 12 million boardings, the commuter rail agency announced today.
“I want to thank our passengers for trusting us with their daily commute. Without them, there would be no Metrolink,” said Brian Humphrey, Metrolink board chair. “I also want to thank our entire Metrolink team. The customer experience we provide our passengers is what attracts people to ride our trains every day.”
The new record is an increase of 247,000 boardings from the prior year and eclipses the previous record of 11,796,086 set in the 2008-09 fiscal year.
According to Metrolink, last year was the fifth year in a row that ridership has increased, which the transportation provider called a “stark contrast to a trend of declining or flat ridership in public transportation nationwide.”
Officials said an increase in marketing investments, discounts to offset decreasing ridership on some lines and trial rides for Earth Day and Bike Month helped increase its customers.
“My goal is to double Metrolink's ridership by 2023. These numbers show we are on our way,” said Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins.
Compared to July 2018, there were 3.7 percent more riders in July 2019. Additionally, mobile ticket sales reached their highest month ever in July 2019, at more than $3 million, Metrolink reported.
Metrolink cited a strong local economy and more workers commuting through Los Angeles Union Station as reasons for the uptick in its travelers.
Photo: Metrolink