Density Increases Near Transit Station in D.C. But Ridership Does Not

D.C. Metro ridership is falling at a concerning rate, even as more people move to the areas with good transit access. "According to census data provided to Express by the city’s planning office, about 200,000 households were living within a half-mile of a Metro station in the period between 2012 and 2016, about 15,000 more than in the previous five-year period," Kery Murakami writes for the Washington Post. Density is a key factor in how well transit can work. But in D.C. many riders are switching to driving.

At the same time active modes have been growing as well. "The number of those walking or commuting by another means — like biking, scootering or taking a ride-share service — grew by a third," Murakami reports. There have been a few bright spots, "Ridership did grow at seven of D.C.’s 40 Metro stations, as the neighborhoods around them grew," Murakami writes. But on balance the system has had trouble keeping up with the competition.