Minneapolis light rail exceeds revenue expectations
The Hiawatha light rail line pulled in more money than budgeted last month but fell short of per-passenger revenue estimates.
Metro Transit’s Hiawatha light rail line generated more revenue than officials expected in its first month of service, but revenue per passenger fell short, according to data released this week.
According to the financial summary, passenger revenue totaled $360,000 in July, which was $105,000 more than budgeted. Boardings were also higher than expected, with 462,463 rides, almost twice the anticipated 231,400.
But the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that average per-passenger revenue fell from an expected $1.10 per ride to 78 cents per ride.
Metro Transit officials attributed the drop in part to a much larger share of weekend and evening passengers than planners expected. Rush-hour tickets are $1.75, while non-peak rides are $1.25.
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