WMATA's Metrorail posts single-day record ridership

The Washington Metro Area Transit Authority's Metrorail system recorded the highest ridership in its 28-year history on Wednesday, June 9, as people flocked to the District of Columbia to pay respects to former President Ronald Reagan. Metrorail recorded 850,636 trips on Wednesday, topping the previous best by nearly 50,000. The toppled record date was Jan. 20, 1993, the day that Bill Clinton was inaugurated as president. Typical weekday spring ridership is between 670,000 and 690,000. On Wednesday, numerous streets were closed in downtown Washington due to security measures surrounding the funeral procession along Constitution Avenue. City officials encouraged commuters and visitors to use the Metrorail system.