Metro is breaking ridership records. There were close to 855,000 riders on June 11, beating it's old highest ridership record by 4,000 people.

Eric Amaechi was one of the 855,000 riders that helped Metro achieve its new personal best. Friday's ridership pushed Metro over the top, beating its old record by 4,000 people. 

Officials attribute the spike to a Washington Nationals baseball game, a Women of Faith Conference at the Verizon Center and tourists visiting the city.

"It was definitely packed in real tight, sardine can type packed. It was very, very busy."

The rail system has had 20 of it 25 highest ridership days in its history during the past year. A third of Metro's 1,000 cars are reaching the end of their life expectancy. An increase in ridership means more wear and tear on those cars, which isn't good for an already cash strapped system.

Metro's chairman, Chris Zimmerman, fears the system might not be prepared to keep up with ridership that increases about four percent every year.

"We need more capital coming into the system. It's really essential that we find a way to have some dedicated revenue come into here like most other systems," said Zimmerman.

The record high ridership translates into new hassles for users including packed trains at usually off peak hours. "It's like going out to lunch has become almost as much a hassle as going out in rush hour its just ridiculous," said metro rider, Christine Stoddard.

And parking lots are now jammed to capacity.

"You used to just go and you could park and get on the metro and now you have to plan to go early to get a parking spot," said Aileen Hedden.

With gas prices increasing, these new issues with packed trains are now what Metro believes is a new reality. Another idea Metro plans to work on is making riding the bus more appealing.