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Post by rubbertoe on May 18, 2011 12:37:42 GMT -8
All, Metrolink just published the April ridership numbers, which now includes the special trains for the Angles games. It is a bit confusing, because Metrolink reports Inbound and Outbound ridership. I assumed that Inbound was always relative to coming into LAUS, and outbound was always going away from LAUS. The stats show 4 trains every game day, but in two cases (4-20 and 4-21) they show 1 inbound and 3 outbound  In any case, the service seems to be successful so far as getting more people to ride over time. Here are the totals (all 4 trains, so likely half that many people making two trips): Fr 4-8: 373 Mo 4-11: 186 Tu 4-12: 273 Th 4-21: 305 Fr 4-22: 547 Mo 4-25: 301 Tu 4-26: 370 While the numbers do jump around a bit, notice that for any given weekday (Fr for example), the numbers are increasing. RT |
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Post by wad on May 23, 2011 4:29:29 GMT -8
Is the train meeting its targets? I would hate for this service to be canceled.
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Post by spokker on May 23, 2011 16:46:38 GMT -8
Angels average 40,000 per game, to put this into some perspective.
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Post by Transit Coalition on May 23, 2011 19:35:55 GMT -8
Is the train meeting its targets? I would hate for this service to be canceled. The Angeles weekday baseball trains are successful and they will stay for the season. On the other hand, the AV and VC Dodger trains won't make it past mid-season. They structurally just don't work. The SB train is now a permanent 6 day service, so it will show the need or lack of need for general late night service. The last train is always the weakest, but I bet the earlier SB trains show a ridership increase. |
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Post by spokker on May 23, 2011 21:42:18 GMT -8
It's just a theory, but when you add trains later into the evening, the earlier departures may see a jump in ridership, even if the last train is sparsely patronized.
There is an intense fear of getting stranded among transit riders, especially new riders. Someone decides to take the train for the first time, against their friend's and family's best advice. They end up getting stranded due to inexperience and service that ends too soon. They must call a family member to pick them up and suffer the embarrassment of their bad decision. That's just one scenario.
The late train is a buffer that acts as peace of mind for the transit rider. Note that the midnight-1AM trains on Metro Rail are often sparsely used as well, but cut them and the 11PM-midnight trains become sparsely used. Cut those and the 10PM-11PM trains become sparsely used, and so on.
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Post by James Fujita on May 23, 2011 23:01:13 GMT -8
well, maybe you can't prove it scientifically, but it's not just a theory.
baseball games and other sporting events can go long, into extra innings or overtime. then there are concerts, plays, clubs and other assorted late-night events. nobody wants to have to constantly check their watch out of fear of being stranded.
a lack of weekend or late-night rail or bus service can be a huge deterrent to potential Metro or Metrolink ridership.
the first Metro bus I ever rode was a Hollywood Bowl park-n-ride bus. special trains and buses can be a great way to introduce people to transit, but you have to make sure they can both get to and FROM the event ;D
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Post by mattapoisett on May 23, 2011 23:47:46 GMT -8
At one point I was trying to convince my brother in law to take Metro. It would be convenient, since he lives in the TOD at the Lincoln Heights Station. We went to see a show at Gibson Amphitheater and were taking the Red Line to the Gold back to his place. Lo and behold when we got to Union Station, the last Gold Line train had left even though it was just after 11 and there were like 5 incoming Red Line trains left for the day. We ended up taking a cab to his place and he's still not convinced to Go Metro. DC Metro has a last set of outbound trains emanating from Metro Center. The theory is as long as you can make it to the center of the system by midnight Weekdays, 3 am Weekends, you can make the last train home. well, maybe you can't prove it scientifically, but it's not just a theory. baseball games and other sporting events can go long, into extra innings or overtime. then there are concerts, plays, clubs and other assorted late-night events. nobody wants to have to constantly check their watch out of fear of being stranded. a lack of weekend or late-night rail or bus service can be a huge deterrent to potential Metro or Metrolink ridership. the first Metro bus I ever rode was a Hollywood Bowl park-n-ride bus. special trains and buses can be a great way to introduce people to transit, but you have to make sure they can both get to and FROM the event ;D |
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Post by rubbertoe on May 24, 2011 10:32:19 GMT -8
The Metrolink service to the Angels game is a special case. The trains that leave after the game depart 30 minutes after the last out, so there is no question of whether or not you will make the "last train".
It will be nice to see if the baseball game trains gain any ridership "traction" as the season progresses. Per Bart the service will be going on till the end of the season. I'll post the numbers monthly when Metrolink releases them.
RT
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