CCG – Though satisfaction with public transportation is at its highest level in ten years for D.C. metro users, there are issues with the subterranean stations in the nation’s capital.
Even while the train system is largely well-liked, severe crimes including rape, robbery, and homicide on the Metro have increased between 2022 and 2023, raising serious safety concerns.
77% of frequent and infrequent Metro users evaluated the system as “excellent” or “good,” while 86% of those who rode the system at least once a month expressed overall satisfaction with it, according to a Washington Post-Schar School survey. While in 2017 just 45% of riders rated the system favorably, rider satisfaction has increased significantly over the last seven years.
How Much Ratio Is Riders?
The majority of riders—more than three-quarters—said the Metrorail system offers good value and that the service is dependable. That being said, almost one-third of respondents gave the system a low rating for criminal safety.
More riders under 50, as well as those who identified as black or Hispanic, expressed concerns about safety than did older, white riders.
Is The Real Report of Crime?
The reported crime rate on the Metrorail nearly tripled between 2020 and 2023, however, fare evasion is primarily to blame for this increase.
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Last year’s investigation revealed that 14% of Metrorail rides are made without payment, resulting in an estimated $40 million in losses annually. 48 Metrorail stations now have high saloon-style fare gates installed by Metro as a result of this, which has reduced fare evasion thereby over 80%.
What Are The Challenges?
In the absence of a designated funding source, the rail system is expected to face ongoing challenges in obtaining cash going forward, which is why this survey was conducted. Metro revealed earlier this month that starting in July, fares would rise by 12.5%. Base and maximum train rates will rise accordingly, from $2 to $2.25 and $6 to $6.75, respectively.
Because more and more people are choosing to work from home, weekly Metro ridership is 40% lower than it was before the epidemic. Roughly half of the workers in the area can work from home, according to the survey.
