Have you noticed the orange flyers and collection boxes floating around Metro stations this month? They’re part of a passenger survey that WMATA conducts every few years. The results help determine both how much each of our region’s jurisdictions pay for Metro and whether or not Metro should make service changes.

Photo by Elvert Barnes on Flickr.

Named TravelTrends, WMATA’s Metrorail Passenger Survey survey has two primary objectives: To determine how much each jurisdiction (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) needs to pay to subsidize the system, and to help determine whether or not to make changes to rail service.

In addition, the Federal Transit Administration mandates this survey be conducted periodically.

One thing about TravelTrends is that it’s not a survey about your satisfaction with the system. It’s more like a census, with the same questions asked each period so WMATA can compare the data. Just like with the federal census, which happens every 10 years, the questions are about you or your habits rather than how you think the government’s policies are working out.

According to PlanItMetro, Metro’s planning blog, “Your answers to the survey contribute to the data used to support operating and planning activities—it provides us with greater insight into how we can best match service to fit the overall needs of our customers using the system.”

Photo by the author.

The (statistically valid) results aid WMATA in determining what each jurisdiction must pay to support Metro. It’s one part of a complex formula. Each jurisdiction pays according to its population (adjusted for density), the number of stations it has, and the average weekday number of riders who live in that jurisdiction. This survey is used to figure out the jurisdictional ridership part of the formula.

Staff are handing out the bright orange, pre-stamped surveys at each station through the end of May. You can also fill one out online instead of mailing — just use the code at the bottom of the cover page.

Normally, the survey happens every five years. The last one was in 2012. But WMATA is also required to run the rider study two years after starting new rail service, so the addition of the Silver Line pushed it up (has it really been two years?!!).

As an added bonus, if you complete the survey, you’re entered into a drawing to win a $100 SmarTrip card.

Kristy Cartier grew up in Vienna near Wolftrap and now resides in Herndon. She is on the board of Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park and has a master in agricultural economics. Kristy may market vehicle telematics, but she wants to see more walkable areas in Fairfax County.