Metro News

Metro provided more weekday trips on average throughout last week’s fare-free promotion than at any other time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.
CINCINNATI – Metro provided more weekday trips on average throughout last week’s fare-free promotion than at any other time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. Additionally, weekend ridership exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and overnight service grew significantly.

“These numbers are really exciting,” said CEO and General Manager Darryl Haley. “Not only do they show a growing demand for more access to public transit in our community, but they also demonstrate that we’re on the right path with Reinventing Metro and our promise to meet more of our customers where they are with increased 24-hour and weekend service.”

Here is a breakdown of ridership for each day of last week’s fare-free promotion:

To put these numbers in context, with an average weekday ridership of 44,358, the fare-free week saw a 26% increase in ridership compared to the prior month, February 2022, which saw an average of 35,184 rides. Likewise, Saturday’s 20,709 rides and Sunday’s 16,517 during the promotion both exceeded the pre-pandemic weekend averages set in March 2019 at 20,698 and 13,023, respectively. Overall, the week’s figures represent a 50% increase in ridership over the same time last year.

Additionally, weekday express service during the promotion saw an 11% increase over the previous month, while evening and overnight service – both having seen significant expansion as part of the Reinventing Metro plan – increased by 30%