Metro Transit is extending its money-back guarantee to Northstar riders through February, the transit agency announced Thursday.

The Northstar Service Guarantee promised refunds during January if trains arrived 11 or more minutes late. As of Thursday afternoon, riders on five runs qualified for refunds.

Overall, about 98 percent of the 250 runs in January arrived on time, spokesman Howie Padilla said.

It is not clear how many riders will get refunds, to be sent out in February. Only riders who registered and used a card to pay fares are eligible.

About 700 riders have registered for the program, which began as a pilot in January after 2014 ridership dipped. Northstar's performance through October showed trains were on schedule 65.7 percent of the time. Ridership through November was 670,907, a dip of 10 percent from 2013.

"This program is not only about money," Padilla said. "We are telling riders who left us or have yet to try us to give us a chance."

Customers can register for the program at www.metrotransit.org/northstar.

Tim Harlow