Inauguration and Women’s March, By The Numbers

By Max Kutner On 1/21/17

Riders took fewer trips on Washington, D.C.’s Metro on Friday morning during President Donald Trump’s inauguration than did during his predecessor’s inaugurations, according to the transportation provider. The number during the Women’s March on Washington on Saturday was also higher. While local and federal agencies have not yet released estimates for how many people attended Trump’s inauguration, Metro figures suggest the total was far below those of Barack Obama.

As of 11 a.m. ET on Friday, Metro counted 193,000 rides, less than half the 513,000 it counted in 2009 and far fewer than the 317,000 it did for Obama’s second inauguration, in 2013. On Saturday, Metro counted 275,000 trips before 11 a.m., also surpassing the figure from the previous morning.

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Organizers of the Women’s March on Washington initially expected more than 200,000 people to participate in that event on Saturday. Citing organizers, D.C. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Kevin Donahue tweeted Saturday morning that the anticipated number had jumped to 500,000. Just before 1 p.m. on Saturday, the D.C. government’s Inauguration Twitter account said Metro stations were “at full capacity.” By 4 p.m., Metro said its ridership for the day was at 597,000. Many more people participated in simultaneous demonstrations around the country and abroad.

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