Despite lower gas prices, transit ridership grows

[spuwho]

Per Trains:

WASHINGTON – More than 2.7 billion trips were taken on U.S. public transportation in the third quarter of 2014, according to a report by the American Public Transportation Association. This is a 1.8 percent increase over the same quarter last year, representing an increase of more than 48 million trips and the highest third quarter ridership since 1974, the oldest third quarter data APTA has available for comparison.



Ridership on U.S. public transportation has increased in 12 of the last 15 quarters. "High and volatile gas prices have played a part over the past nine years in convincing people to try public transportation," says APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy. "Now that gas prices are declining, many people are still choosing to ride public transportation. They have discovered that there are other benefits to taking public transit besides saving money."

Nationally, heavy rail ridership increased by 4.6 percent. Eight out of 15 heavy rail systems (subways and elevated trains) experienced ridership increases in the third quarter of 2014 over the same period in 2013. Atlanta's MARTA, 10.4 percent, and San Francisco's BART, 10 percent, showed double digit increases in the third quarter. Other heavy rail systems showing significant increase percentages were MTA Staten Island Railway, 7.5 percent; MTA New York City Transit, 5.2 percent; Boston's MBTA, 5.1 percent; and Chicago Transit Authority, 4.9 percent.

Eighteen out of 28 light rail systems reported an increase in ridership for the third quarter of 2014. Overall, light rail increased by 3.2 percent in the third quarter of 2014. Light rail systems in the following cities saw double digit increases in the third quarter: Houston Metro, 22.1 percent; Norfolk, Va., Hampton Roads Transit, 16.8 percent; Seattle Sound Transit, 14.1 percent; and Oceanside, Calif., NCTD, 11.8 percent.

Twenty-three out of 28 commuter rail systems reported ridership increases and overall commuter rail increased by 3.5 percent. Commuter rail systems in the following cities saw double digit increases in the third quarter: Stockton, Calif., Altamont Commuter Express, 18.2 percent; Salt Lake City FrontRunner, 16.5 percent; Seattle Sounder, 13.8 percent; and San Francisco Caltrain, 10.7 percent.

To see the complete APTA ridership report, go to www.apta.com.

[JaxJersey-licious]

Great news especially since many transit detractors have always been arguing that ridership was exclusively tied to the affordability of gas. I really hope this trend continues regardless of gas prices.

What I've been curious about is the effect of the increased popularity of tablet computers and video steaming services has on commuting habits. I've noticed a much greater usage of these devices on trains over the last year and I think it would make for an interesting study.

[finehoe]

^^Use of electronic devices increases on commuter rail

http://www.thetransitwire.com/2012/06/14/use-of-electronic-devices-increases-on-commuter-rail/

[ProjectMaximus]

^^Use of electronic devices increases on commuter rail

http://www.thetransitwire.com/2012/06/14/use-of-electronic-devices-increases-on-commuter-rail/

Wow amazing!!

ask and thou shalt receive

Finehoe, can I have a new bicycle for Christmas??