'March Madness' NCAA Games Draws Strong RT Light Rail Ridership Numbers to Golden 1 Center

March 20, 2017 |

As one of the host cities of the first round of the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament, many of those attending the games at Sacramento's Golden 1 Center used Sacramento Regional Transit's Light Rail to get to the venue.

According to ridership numbers released today by Sacramento RT transported more than 9,445 people, or 18,890 trips to Friday and Sunday games in Downtown Sacramento. Passenger were counted as the exited light rail cars at the arena.

“Ridership numbers exceeded our expectations, but certainly not our capacity to transport tens of thousands of fans coming to take part in the NCAA basketball experience at Golden 1 Center,” Henry Li, RT General Manager/CEO said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to show visitors from around the country, and even locals, how essential light rail is to having convenient regional mobility.”

Friday’s ridership was 13,210 trips, Sunday’s ridership was 5,680 trips. These numbers exceed Golden 1 Center Opening Day ridership, which was 10,000 trips.

“Clearly, RT is an integral part of our regional economy,” Andy Morin, RT Board Chair said. “Riders attending the NCAA games this past weekend relied on RT not only to get to Golden 1 Center, but to other wonderful Sacramento landmarks such as the California State Capitol and Old Sacramento.”