Transit Ridership Still Strong in 2009
September 28, 2009
"Even with significant declines in gasoline prices, higher unemployment, a general economic downturn, and lower state and local revenue, public transportation use in the first quarter is essentially flat – almost matching last year's modern record first quarter ridership – declining by only 1.2%." (Source: Transit News Press Release, June, 15, 2009). Bus and heavy rail transit trips, which made up the majority of transit trips, were down less than 2% from 2008 to 2009. Light rail, trolleybus and the "other" category experienced increased ridership during 2009.
Transit Unlinked Passenger Trips, First Quarter 2008 and 2009*
Transit Trips, First Quarter 2008 Compared to 2009
| Unlinked Passenger Trips | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Quarter 2008 | 1st Quarter 2009 | Percent Change | |
| Heavy rail | 861,349 | 846,091 | -1.77% |
| Light rail | 108,776 | 110,708 | 1.78% |
| Commuter rail | 115,148 | 111,661 | -3.03% |
| Trolleybus | 24,804 | 25,994 | 4.80% |
| Bus | 1,369,586 | 1,352,941 | -1.22% |
| Demand Response | 53,633 | 55,641 | 3.75% |
| Other* | 44,676 | 44,773 | 0.22% |
| U.S. Total | 2,577,971 | 2,547,808 | -1.17% |
Note
* Other includes aerial tramway, automated guideway, cable car, ferryboat, inclined plane, monorail, and vanpool.
Source
American Public Transportation Association, Transit Ridership Report, First Quarter 2009, June 2009.