Where Are Those Rail Riders Going?
May 12th, 2015
Ever wonder where rail riders are going to and from? Here’s a map that shows you.
“What are the destinations of riders at Station X?” It’s a question we get often here. Well, using October 2014 rail ridership data by origin and destination, it’s pretty easy to answer that question – click below for an interactive map.
Click for a larger, interactive version of Metrorail ridership information by origin and destination station
This is really cool data! Thanks!
P.S. I’m really curious who all of the people are who are departing the same station at which they entered. There’s a small percentage of riders (but not quite statistically insignificant) that seem to be doing this.
How is it possible that the most popular destination station from Anacostia is Anacostia? Something to do with the calculation of the bus transfer?
Some people may be “railfanning” and just ride for fun, thus getting on and off at the same station. Maybe others are homeless?
@MLD
Good question; your comment prompted me to dig a bit further. A very low number of same-station rides are found at nearly every station, for a variety of reasons, but Anacostia is jumping out because of high employee usage there. Nearly 80% of the Anacostia-to-Anacostia trips are employees who appear to be working in the system (not commuting). I am seeing a handful of full fare trips going between the two mezzanines – perhaps people walking through the station to the parking garage?