Metro-North logged record 2013 ridership in east of Hudson region

MTA Metro-North Railroad's east of Hudson ridership in 2013 reached 81.8 million, the highest level in the railroad's history, surpassing the previous record of 81.5 million rides set in 2008.

The year-over-year increase was slight — just 0.7 percent — compared with the region's ridership in 2012, according to a Metro-North press release.

Harlem was the railroad's fastest growing line last year, with ridership increasing 1.2 percent to 26.9 million riders. New Haven Line ridership was up 0.5 percent and reached its highest annual mark at nearly 39 million.

Meanwhile, ridership grew 0.3 percent to 15.9 million on the Hudson Line, fell 3.6 percent on the Port Jervis Line and essentially was unchanged on the Pascack Valley Line versus 2012.

Overall, commuter ridership grew 1.8 percent in 2013, reflecting the strengthening regional economy, while non-commuter ridership decreased 1 percent due to a variety of factors, including weather and major service disruptions, Metro-North officials said.

Combined ridership in the east and west of Hudson markets totaled 83.4 million last year. The west of Hudson market dropped 2.3 percent to 1,576,227 rides, reflecting a customer base that has been slow to recover since Hurricanes Sandy and Irene, Metro-North officials said.