Mike Rupert, The Examiner
2006-08-08 09:00:00.0
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WASHINGTON -

Nearly 1 in 3 residents who live or work within a half-mile of a Metro station use the rail system daily, according to a new study that is likely to provide more fuel to efforts to develop around the region’s 86 stations.

The study, released by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, also showed that more than half of residents who live and or work within one-quarter mile also choose public transportation over their cars.

Metro officials surveyed 1,950 people who lived, worked or visited other businesses within a half-mile of 13 rail stations. In 1989, just 18 percent of those who worked near a station reported using the subway to get to work. And while the numbers are less dramatic for those who live near a station, which jumped from 45 percent in 1989 to 54 percent this year, the volume of customers has increased significantly. Ridership has jumped 43 percent since 1990, officials said, with the addition of just two new stations.

Nat Bottigheimer, Metro planning director, said when Metro or other transit services provide “quality access to transit,” the system appears to be working well.

Metro Interim General Manager Dan Tangherlini said with the recent ridership increases and several new large developments planned around stations in Virginia, Maryland and the District, Metro is finally fulfilling a promise its supporters made 30 years ago.

“At the time it was considered an extravagance by critics,” Tangherlini said. “Now it’s becoming a necessity and we are just now beginning to see the full potential of what Metro can do for this region.”

Tangherlini called the trend an “evolution,” and said the transit agency needs to harness the momentum.

mrupert@dcexaminer.com