Silver Line Ridership Far Below Expectations
Although Tysons properties are being bought and developed like gangbusters, the Metro Silver Line's ridership after one year has been anything but. Fewer than 8,000 riders a weekday use the four stations—McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro and Spring Hill—30% fewer than WMATA expected at this stage. The lack of pedestrian-focused infrastructure is to blame, WAMU reports. An internal Metro analysis says that despite Tysons stations being on par with NoMa and Federal Center SW as job hubs, a "pedestrian unfriendly environment may also help explain the Tysons-area stations’ low ridership." As a result, Metro is losing millions of dollars in potential fares annually. But, even if the sidewalks are made better and more widespread, Tysons workers' behavior must shift, too. Many of the workers still drive despite opportunities to use Metro, to which those stuck in NoVa Beltway traffic are surely shaking their fists. [WAMU]
Ethan Rothstein, Bisnow DC
