Ridership on Public Transportation Continues to Rise in 2011

[marmar]

from the American Public Transportation Association:




Ridership on Public Transportation Continues to Rise in 2011
Increase of 85.7 million trips in the first six months


Nationally, 5.2 billion trips were taken on public transportation in the first six months of 2011, an increase of 85.7 million trips (1.7%) according to a report released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) at its 2011 annual meeting and EXPO in New Orleans. All major modes of public transportation saw increases, despite the fact that the economic downturn continues. Heavy rail and light rail saw the largest increases in the first six months with increases of 3.8 percent and 3.7 percent respectively.

“There is strong support for public transportation nationwide and the uptick in our 2011 ridership figures is a reflection of this,” said APTA President Millar. “Now is the time for our country to invest more in public transportation and prepare for the larger demand that will occur when the recession ends.”

January – June 2011 Ridership Breakdown



Nationally, heavy rail ridership increased by 3.8 percent and 12 out of 15 heavy rail systems (subways and elevated trains) experienced ridership increases in the first six months of 2011 (January – June) over the same period in 2010. The heavy rail systems with the highest increases in ridership for 2011 were in the following cities: San Juan, Puerto Rico (21.2%); Cleveland, OH (17.2%); Baltimore, MD (10.0%); Boston, MA (8.8%); Miami, FL (6.4%); San Francisco, CA (5.4%); and Lindenwold, NJ/Port Authority Transit Corporation (5.3%).

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Light rail ridership increased by 3.7 percent in the first six months of 2011, as 18 out of 27 light rail systems reported an increase in ridership from January through June of 2011. Light rail systems in seven cities that saw double digit increases in the first half of the year were: Seattle, WA/ King County Department of Transportation (42.1%); Dallas, TX (32.3%); Philadelphia, PA (17.4%); New Orleans, LA (15.2%); Buffalo, NY (14.1%); Oceanside, CA (11.6%); and Baltimore, MD (10.4%). ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2011/Pages/111003-Ridership.aspx