Photo by iván.sciupac

Metrorail ridership actually increased during the first half of this month, possibly signaling a return to normal (or even above-normal) levels for the first time since the deadly June 22 Red Line crash.

Weekday ridership for the first two weeks in March averaged roughly 750,000 trips. The same period in 2009 saw an average of approximately 677,000.

In a press release touting the new figures, WMATA officials speculated that despite record low ridership during February’s historic snow storms, this winter’s rough weather may have actually helped bring customers back to the system.

“When the region reopened for business after the blizzards, many roadways were still piled high with snow banks blocking driving lanes and parking areas, so they climbed on board Metro,” said Metro General Manager John Catoe in a statement. “Quite frankly, it looks like they’ve stayed with us.”

The shift to increasing numbers of riders is important for the struggling transit agency, which has been scrambling all this fiscal year to make up for reduced revenues thanks to declining ridership since the June crash.

Crowds typically swell as the spring and summer tourist months approach, however. And as we’ve seen, while WMATA’s finances may benefit from the trend, regular riders don’t always appreciate it at the time.