Free streetcar rides topped 50K

The numbers are in.

The Cincinnati Bell Connector’s grand opening weekend saw 50,646 passenger trips, according to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority. Compare that to Kansas City, where 32,326 people rode the streetcar its first weekend earlier this year. The first weekend here and in Kansas City were free for riders, though in Cincinnati those fares were covered by donors, including Believe in Cincinnati and the U.S. Bank Haile Foundation.

READ MORE: Complete coverage of Cincinnati's streetcar

Riders are tracked via sensor inside the streetcar's doors.

"It's great to see so many Cincinnatians enjoying our newest transportation option," Councilman Chris Seelbach said. "This number blew all expectations out of the water. I hope to see this momentum continue as we look to improve and expand transit options in more neighborhoods."

Numbers for Monday - the first paid day of operation - were not included in the release. The Enquirer has requested those numbers.

By day:

* Friday: 18,141 passenger trips

* Saturday: 17,160 passenger trips

* Sunday: 15,345 passenger trips

High ridership came despite Saturday night issues that included heavy rain at times and a bomb threat that prompted police to halt streetcar service for an hour while a security check was done.

The streetcar opened Friday at noon, a project eight years in the making. The $148 million streetcar runs on a 3.6-mile loop, from The Banks to Over-the-Rhine, making 18 stops.

It costs $1 to ride for two hours, or $2 for a day pass. Ridership is projected at 3,000 people a day.