Public Transportation Ridership Continued To Climb In 2006

7.8 billion trips taken on public transit in the first nine months - nearly 3% increase

January 4, 2006

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) today announced that public transportation ridership has increased by nearly 3% in the first nine months of 2006, as Americans took 7.8 billion trips on public transit.

"Even as gas prices declined, more and more people decided to ride public transportation as ridership grew by nearly 3% in the first nine months of 2006," said APTA President William W. Millar. "This continued increase in transit ridership demonstrates that when people have transportation choices, they use them."

Light rail (streetcars, trolleys, heritage trolleys, and modern light rail) had the highest percentage of growth among all modes of transportation with an increase of 5.4%. The areas reporting double digit increases in light rail ridership were: Salt Lake City, UT (23.3%); Minneapolis, MN (22.6%); New Jersey (16.3%); Philadelphia, PA (11.9%); and Sacramento, CA (10.0%). Light rail ridership that almost achieved double digit increases included Buffalo, NY (9.2%) and Houston, TX (9.0%).

Commuter rail, which grew by 3.2% from January through September 2006, showed the largest increases in the following areas: Harrisburg, PA (12.1%); Chesterton, IN (12.0%); Miami, FL (11.7%); Dallas, TX (11.3%); and New Haven, CT (9.9%).

Heavy rail (subways) ridership increased in the first nine months of 2006 by 2.8%. The largest increases in heavy rail were: Boston, MA (12.9%); Los Angeles, CA (12.2%); Jersey City - Port Authority of NY/NJ (9.9%); and Staten Island, NY (9.5%).

Bus ridership in small, medium, and large communities also showed increases. Nationally, bus ridership increased by nearly 3% in the first nine months of 2006. The largest bus agencies showing the highest increases were located in the following cities: Seattle, WA (11.7%); San Antonio, TX (11.7%); Dallas, TX (10.7%); Houston, TX (8.1%); Miami, FL (6.9%); and Saint Louis, MO (6.8%).

Demand response (paratransit) increased by 3.3% in the first nine months. Trolleybus ridership decreased by 1.9% in the same period. All other modes of public transportation increased by 2.6%.

To see the complete ridership report, go to http://www.apta.com/research/stats/ridership/.