Capital Metro has released preliminary numbers for the special transportation services it provided during the United States Grand Prix and Formula One–related events Nov. 16–18.

Communications Manager Francine Pares said Nov. 21 that everything went smoothly on the transit side and credits the agency's preparedness and experience. She said Capital Metro staff had been coordinating with the City of Austin, area chambers of commerce, and the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau for months.

"I think Capital Metro is just pretty experienced with events," Pares said.

The transit authority extended MetroRail hours and added Sunday service, offered a free downtown loop to visitors and locals, and increased frequency on its MetroAirport bus route. Capital Metro officials reported an increase of 67 percent in MetroRail ridership Nov. 16 and a 435 percent increase for the extended Saturday service Nov. 17. More than 1,900 boardings took place Nov. 18.

In a news release, Capital Metro officials reported that although final figures were not available for the downtown loop, the route had heavy ridership both before and after racing events at the track as well as an increase in riders during evening festivities in the downtown core.

MetroAirport service ran every 15 minutes between the airport and downtown during the weekend. On Friday, ridership increased 26 percent, and Saturday's service increased by 34 percent. Between Nov. 15–19, more than 3,300 people used the service, which is a 23 percent increase over regular usage, according to the news release.

"Working together, our region was prepared for this event, hands down," said Linda Watson, Capital Metro president and CEO, in a statement. "After seeing the numbers, hearing the feedback from the community and our visitors, and after our own evaluation, Capital Metro knocked it out of the park."

The transit authority also released its first mobile app Oct. 31, which was downloaded 4,000 times. The app offers access to maps, schedules and detours, and allows users to purchase fares and use their smartphones as transit passes. Pares said Capital Metro will analyze data and feedback on the app once the service ends Nov. 24.

"From what I'm hearing in the IT department and anyone who worked on it, they're very happy with it," she said.

For any special event, Capital Metro puts out the call for volunteers from its Metro Ambassadors group, and Pares said more than 100 volunteers assisted with directing visitors on how to use public transit and handing out maps. On Saturday night, Capital Metro had to run extra trains to handle the overflow of passengers waiting to take the MetroRail. Pares said volunteers were on hand as late as 1 a.m. assisting riders with getting on a new train.

"People are looking forward to next year, and next year, we know what to do," Pares said.