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Ridership on Metro Transit-St. Louis increased 8 percent during the half of fiscal-year 2012 compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year, agency officials announced. Ridership totaled 23.4 million from July through December 2011 versus 21.6 million from July through December 2010.

Ridership on the MetroLink light-rail system rose 3.6 percent during FY2012’s first six months.

“Systemwide, Metro is seeing ridership return largely because of service restoration in 2010. Ridership was stronger in FY2011 than the year before, and the growth is continuing,” said Metro Chief Operating Officer Ray Friem in a prepared statement. “An improving economy and employment situation, and a mild winter this year, are also helping increase ridership.”