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Despite implementing a fare increase earlier this year, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has posted steady year-to-date ridership growth.

Average weekday rail ridership grew 6 percent in January, 4 percent in February, and 3 percent in March, compared with data from the same 2007 months. Average weekday Metrorail ridership stands at about 750,000. WMATA budget analysts predict rail ridership will grow another 3 percent during the next several months.

In January, WMATA raised fares to help make up a multi-million-dollar budget shortfall projected for FY2009, which begins in July.