Metro-North Boasts Highest Ridership Since Before Start Of Pandemic

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — There are plenty of things in our life that haven't returned to the pre-pandemic routine, but Metro-North is setting historic records.

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced record ridership on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority commuter railroads, the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad.

"This record-breaking ridership showcases that New York is back and better than ever," Hochul said. "Thanks to our nation-leading investments, commuters and residents are now experiencing safe and reliable transportation, and I am proud to see New Yorkers continuing to come back to the system."

Metro-North Railroad had its best Monday since the pandemic, carrying 209,795 riders. Combined with Tuesday, Metro-North has carried nearly half a million riders through the first two days of the week. This record comes following strong ridership last week, with an average of 212,466 riders each day, the best weekday average since the pandemic. The average ridership for Tuesday through Thursday of that week was 222,244 riders, also a post-pandemic record.

"Service has never been better for Metro-North customers," Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi said. "Through the first quarter of the year, on-time performance has been the highest in the railroad’s history, and our commitment to safety has not wavered. These records are a testament to the entire Metro-North team, and I am proud of the excellent work that they have done to get us here."

Through the first three months of 2024, the LIRR and Metro-North have each celebrated strong on-time performance and ridership, with each carrying approximately 1.4 million riders last week.

Metro-North's record week, for the week of May 6, is the first time since the pandemic the railroad has averaged over 200,000 riders for a week, surpassing that total six of the last seven weekdays. The ridership highs come in the midst of record on-time performance. In addition to its historic on-time performance of 98.8 percent in 2024, Metro-North's on-time performance has been at least 97 percent the last four years, according to the MTA.