Caltrain logs record weekday ridership

Caltrain's average weekday ridership in 2016 is at an all-time high of 62,416 passengers, according to the San Francisco-area commuter railroad's most recent annual onboard ridership count.

The figure marks a 7.2 percent increase from last year, as well as an 83 percent increase since 2010, Caltrain officials said in a press release.

Each year, the railroad typically conducts a physical head count of riders in late January and February — times when there are fewer holidays and special events that could skew ridership numbers. Staff members count every rider on every train for one week and averaged the figure over five weekdays. They also count riders on every train for one weekend.

Most riders continue to travel during peak commute hours, with a 9.6 percent increase to 31,948 riders in 2016. There was also a 3.8 percent spike in "reverse peak" riders.

However, this year's count was suspended for special events in February, including 10 days during Super Bowl 50 week and construction activities. Counts resumed at the end of February and continued through mid-March.

Average weekday ridership figures "vary widely" throughout the year, with Caltrain's peak season for ridership picking up in summer and lasting through fall, agency officials said. Based on current trends, the railroad expects that its ridership numbers will continue to climb throughout the year.

This year is the the sixth consecutive year that Caltrain ridership has set a record.