APTA: 3Q transit ridership slips slightly
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefA report released Wednesday by the American Public Transportation Association noted public transit ridership slipped less than 1% (0.67%) in the third quarter, measured against the same quarter in 2009.
Across the U.S., heavy rail ridership increased by 1.7%. Eleven out of 15 heavy rail systems (subways and elevated trains) experienced ridership increases in the third quarter of 2010 over the same period in 2009.
Light rail ridership slipped a modest 0.2% for the quarter, but 13 out of 27 LRT systems reported ridership increases, with five cities logging double-digit rises: New Orleans (up 61%); Seattle/Sound Transit (up 57.2%), Seattle/ King County Department of Transportation (up 16.9%); Phoenix (up 14.1%); and Portland, Ore. (up 12.9%).
Fourteen out of 27 regional (or “commuter”) rail systems reported ridership increases. Portland, Ore., also excelled in this category (up 21.2%), with Salt Lake City up 15.2%, and New Haven/Connecticut DOT service up 12.6%. Nationally, regional rail ridership declined by 1.1% in the third quarter.
Bus ridership decreased nationally by 2.2% in the third quarter, though increases by large bus systems included. St. Louis (up 9.8%) and Boston (up 2.2%). Small bus systems with populations below 100,000 saw an increase for three consecutive quarters (3.3%). Gainers in this category included Flagstaff, Ariz. (up 17.5%), Ithaca, N.Y. (up 10.8%), and Davis, Calif. (up 10.7%).
“Since nearly 60% of public transit trips are work-related commuter trips, public transit ridership continues to be impacted by the ups and downs of the economy and persistent high unemployment,” said APTA President William Millar. “Additionally, ridership has declined because many transit systems have been forced to raise fares and/or cut service as the result of reduced state and local revenue.”
