MTA Sets New Ridership Record

March 26, 2012
MARC train and commuter bus lead surge in riders.

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) set a new record for ridership last month. The average weekday ridership system-wide hit 414,867 in February, 2012. The previous high was 411,785 recorded in September, 2008.

The MARC Train service led the surge. The average weekday ridership on MARC rose to 35,210, pushing ridership up 6.1 percent system-wide over the same time period one year ago.

MTA Administrator Ralign T. Wells said, "The growth in ridership reflects Governor O'Malley's investment in new equipment, and our commitment to improved performance. Both of those factors contributed to the record ridership we're experiencing."

Ridership on the MARC Penn Line, which carries approximately 21,000 passengers daily, jumped 6.7 percent last month. The Camden Line experienced the largest growth. It recorded a 7.9 percent increase. Ridership on the Brunswick Line was up by 3.2 percent over the same period last year.

The previous record high ridership on the MARC Train system was 34,618. That record was set in November 2011.

Commuter Bus service also surpassed its previous record for riders. Average weekday ridership in February 2012 reached 17,690, eclipsing the old record of 17,390.