The figures for the first quarter of the year were lower than the disappointing figures reported in January, when the Las Vegas Monorail Co. said it averaged 19,219 riders a day for 2006, and farebox revenues totaled $31.4 million for the year.

Monorail spokeswoman Angela Torres pointed today to a statement posted on the company Web site that focused on topping the 20 million rider mark since the 3.9-mile system opened in July 2004.

Before the monorail began operating, proponents had projected carrying up to 20 million passengers a year.

Torres noted that monorail ownership changed in mid-2005, and said she could not address statements made by original project managers.

"I can only assume they made these projections based on marketing and promotional activities that never happened," she said.

The $650 million monorail runs on a Z-shaped track linking several Las Vegas Strip hotels and the Las Vegas Convention Center.

It averaged just 15,430 riders a day in December, after a previous low of 18,197 passengers per day in January 2006, the month base one-way fares were increased from $3 to $5.

Monorail officials say system revenues are derived from fare box revenues and advertising, but the statement released today did not report an advertising figure and Torres said she could not provide it.

Officials have said cash reserves, which were built into the system when state-backed tax-exempt bonds were floated to finance construction, can keep the system solvent through 2010.

On the Web: