Tri-Rail's ridership soars over the same period in 2007

[thelakelander]

Tri-Rail was the second fastest growing commuter rail system in the U.S. in the third quarter, the American Public Transportation Association said Monday.

Tri-Rail's ridership soared 32.9 percent from July to September over the same period in 2007.

It was only outranked by a new commuter train in Albuquerque, which had a 35.8-percent increase in riders. The national average was 6.3 percent.

"We anticipated this high percentage of increase due to the record-breaking cost of gasoline during the third quarter," said Joseph Giulietti, Tri-Rail's executive director, said in a news release.

"It is encouraging to see that in spite of dramatically decreased fuel costs, ridership is continuing to outpace last year. So far this month, we are tracking ridership increases of 27.6 percent for weekdays and 32.7 percent for weekends over December 2007."

In 2006, Tri-Rail led the nation in ridership growth among commuter rail systems and has recorded double-digit increases ever since.

Meanwhile, ridership on Miami's Metrorail was fourth fastest growing among subways and elevated trains in the U.S., jumping 12.2 percent in the third quarter compared to the samer period last year.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-1208trirail,0,7935869.story

[thelakelander]

In congratulating President-Elect Barack Obama on his recent announcement for a major economic stimulus package that includes transportation infrastructure investment, Millar said, “Investing in public transit can quickly create hundreds of thousands of “green” jobs for Americans and help get our economy back on track.  In addition, increased public transit use reduces our dependence on foreign oil and lowers our nation’s carbon footprint.

“To sum it up, public transportation is good for the economy, good for the environment, and good for energy independence,” concluded Millar.

Light rail (modern streetcars, trolleys, and heritage trolleys) had the highest percentage of ridership increase among all modes, with an 8.5 percent increase for the third quarter.  Light rail systems showed double digit increases in the following areas:  Baltimore (19.6%); Minneapolis (18.3%); Sacramento (16.5%); New Jersey (15.9%); Los Angeles (15.3%); Dallas (15.2%); Denver (15%); Buffalo (13.4%); and Memphis (13.3%).

Bus ridership posted the second largest ridership increase at 7.2 percent.  Bus travel in all size communities saw ridership increases; communities with a population of less than 100,000 had an 11.6 percent increase.  The highest increases at the largest bus agencies occurred in the following cities:  Orange County, CA (23.9%); Phoenix (15.2%); San Diego (14.4%); St. Louis (15%); Atlanta (13.8%); Portland (11.8%); Seattle (11.5%); Denver (11.5%); Baltimore (11%); and Chicago (10.1%).

Commuter rail ridership grew by 6.3 percent.  The commuter rail systems with double digit ridership growth were located in the following areas: Albuquerque (35.8%); Pompano Beach, FL (32.9%); New Haven (32.2%); Portland, ME (29.6%); Oakland (26.1%); Stockton, CA (22.5%); Seattle (22.4%); Harrisburg/Philadelphia (21.7%); Dallas (18.8%); Los Angeles (17%); and San Carlos, CA (16.4%).

Heavy rail (subways and elevated trains) ridership increased by 5.2 percent.  The heavy rail systems with the highest increases in ridership for the 2008 third quarter were in the following cities: Los Angeles (14.1%); San Juan (13.5%); Lindenwold, NJ (13.3%); Miami (12.2%); and Atlanta (11.3%).

full article: http://www.apta.com/media/releases/081208_ridership_surges.cfm

[thelakelander]

The systems in bold are actually Amtrak corridor services.  This is probably the most realistic possibility for regional rail service in the Jacksonville area over next few years.

Commuter rail ridership grew by 6.3 percent.  The commuter rail systems with double digit ridership growth were located in the following areas: Albuquerque (35.8%); Pompano Beach, FL (32.9%); New Haven (32.2%); Portland, ME (29.6%); Oakland (26.1%); Stockton, CA (22.5%); Seattle (22.4%); Harrisburg/Philadelphia (21.7%); Dallas (18.8%); Los Angeles (17%); and San Carlos, CA (16.4%).

[RiversideGator]

Good news.  I wonder how much of the increases though were related to the gas price spike.  I would like to see a few more quarters of positive growth for mass transit.

BTW, the "green jobs" thing is largely bunk.  And, government can "create" jobs only by taking money from someone else thereby eliminating a job in the private sector or by inflating the currency thereby taking money from everyone.  Having said that, strong infrastructure is the business of government and can lay the foundation for future private sector economic growth.

[ProjectMaximus]

fair assessment, river.

[JeffreyS]

I would love to start our service with a ramped up Amtrak.  That could go with a Florida rail pass.

[RiversideGator]

Amtrak has been getting the short end of the stick for too long.  If government is to subsidize highways and air travel, it should also subsidize rail travel for passengers IMO.  Rail travel would be ideal for many people in this nation and can be successful.