WASHINGTON — More people took advantage of free Metro rides after the ball dropped on New Year’s in 2016 than used the system last year when riders had to pay full fare.

Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld says rail ridership was up 21 percent this New Year’s compared to last.

While buses did not require riders to tap their SmarTrip cards, Metro believes some bus riders switched to the otherwise more expensive Metrorail system, leading to an overall ridership increase on the full free services of about 10 percent.

“The promoter is very pleased with it, and we’re hoping to work with them in the future as well,” Wiedefeld says.

Miller-Coors sponsored the free rides as it has done in other cities in the past.