WASHINGTON – Metro is bringing in less money, more than $20 million below projections during the past year.
Part of the reason for the drop in revenue is that fewer people are riding trains. Ridership losses over the past 12 months were due to Hurricane Sandy and the unexpected Christmas Eve federal holiday granted by President Obama.
Furloughs, fare increases plus weekend track work and station closures has also contributed to the drop in ridership, the Washington Post reported.
Riders say weekend track-sharing and longer wait-times are particularly annoying, and many have abandoned the system on weekends in favor of driving.
Metro’s parking revenue was $3 million below its budget but Metrobus generated more revenue than in expected, according to a budget report prepared in advance of a Thursday Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board meeting.
Overall Metro ridership was down 7.2 million riders, according to the report.
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