The article congratulates Austin's MetroRail for breaking the record a couple of weekends ago in trips offered. The new record now stands at more than 6,500 people using light rail over a weekend.
That's where it got funny, in a not-so-funny way. Personally, I figured that a record weekend would bring in good profits. But, apparently even a record breaking weekend where even "an extra train and three overflow buses were brought in to increase capacity" wasn't enough to run a profitable business as they only managed to cover 84% of the cost to operate the trains.
A quick calculation shows that they would need 7,750 people using the trains over a weekend to break even. But then again, that would mean extra trains and buses, so overhead costs increase as well. I'm therefore going to assume that an even 8,000 trips over a weekend will get them to break even.
Here's the article if you don't want to click on the link above.
Congratulations to the Board of Directors and Staff at Captial Metro on a record breaking day for MetroRail! On Saturday, May 7 during the Pecan Street Festival, Cap Metro provided more than 6,500 trips, more than any other day since service began in March 2010. The service was so popular an extra train and three overflow buses were brought in to increase capacity. Additionally, passenger fares on Saturday covered 84% of the cost to operate the trains, another new record and well above a typical day of service.
MetroRail has proven to be a high-quality, reliable transportation option for commuters during the week with regular standing room only trips during morning and afternoon rush hour periods. As they start their planning for 2012, Cap Metro will look to add additional weekend service days.
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