Ridership was breaking records almost every year in the last decade – until the coronavirus pandemic hit. Now ridership has dropped precipitously, especially on Metro-North trains, where ridership is down a stunning 95%. Bus ridership is down about 50% across the state, according to Connecticut transportation officials, though in the past week it has inched up to 55-60%. Without fare revenue, the services become more expensive to operate. Across the whole system, ridership decline is costing the MTA $142 million a week in lost fares, he said in an email. MTA officials have called the financial situation “dire,” and are hoping for major federal assistance. To date, 10 drivers or mechanics for CTtransit, the DOT subsidiary that oversees bus operations in Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury and Stamford, have tested positive for the coronavirus, as have 14 employees of the state’s transit districts, which run bus and/or paratransit service in some parts of the state. One driver reportedly has died of COVID-19, the illness triggered by the virus. An unknown number of transit employees are in self-quarantine.