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M-1 RAIL
announces
QLINE
extends
free
rides
for six
more
weeks as
ridership
exceeds
expectations
DETROIT
- After
a
successful
first
week of
passenger
operations,
the
QLINE
will
extend
free
rides to
the
public
for an
additional
six
weeks,
M-1 RAIL
announced
today.
Revenue
operations
will
begin
July 1
with an
additional
rider
and
transit
education
program
to occur
beginning
next
week.
“We
couldn’t
be more
pleased
with the
enthusiastic
reception
the
QLINE
received
from
riders
during
our
first
week,”
said M-1
RAIL CEO
Matt
Cullen.
“We
significantly
exceeded
our
initial
ridership
projections.
Residents
of the
Woodward
Corridor,
Detroiters
from
across
the city
and
visitors
throughout
SE
Michigan
helped
make
this
weekend
a
success
and
we’re
committed
to
building
on this
opportunity.
We
appreciate
all the
great
rider
feedback
we’ve
received
and
we’re
incorporating
a number
of
suggestions
into our
operations.”
QLINE
had
nearly
50,000
riders
its
first
week,
averaging
8,300
riders
per day
over its
first
weekend
and
5,120
riders
from
Monday-Thursday.
Many
experiencing
the
route
for the
first
time
rode the
full 6.6
mile
loop,
causing
large
crowds
on the
platforms
and
headway
times
longer
than
expected.
Due to
the high
demand,
M-1 RAIL
will
increase
the
number
of
vehicles
on the
route
during
heavy
ridership
periods.
“Extending
our free
ride
promotion
will
allow
all
Detroiters
to
experience
the
QLINE
prior to
the
start of
revenue
operations,”
said
Cullen.
“It will
help
integrate
the
streetcar
into
daily
commutes
and
provide
the
necessary
time for
educating
the
riding
public
about
the
system.
It’s the
right
way to
build
sustainable
QLINE
ridership
and
support
our goal
of a
true
regional
transit
system.”
M-1 RAIL
also
gained
valuable
experience
in
servicing
its
first
special
event
crowd
with the
Detroit
Tigers
home
series
this
week and
continues
to work
to
accommodate
the
large
crowds
expected
for
games,
concerts
and
special
events
throughout
the
summer
season.
M-1 RAIL
will
operate
the
QLINE
until
midnight
on
Sunday,
May 21
to serve
riders
attending
the
Detroit
Tigers
game
which
starts
at 8
p.m.
“As we
refine
operations
to
accommodate
demand,
it’s
also
clear a
public
education
campaign
to help
transit
users is
needed
in SE
Michigan,”
said M-1
RAIL
Vice
President
for
External
Affairs
Sommer
Woods.
“Over
the next
six
weeks,
we will
deploy
street
teams at
station
stops to
assist
riders
in
navigating
the
system
and
connecting
to the
destinations
throughout
the
Woodward
Corridor.”
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