For the second straight year, the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA) jointly recorded more than 10 million passenger trips in a fiscal year.

In fiscal year 2013, the Nashville MTA provided 9.7 million passenger trips to residents, visitors, students and tourists within Metro Nashville on its buses and vans. RTA recorded approximately 800,000 passenger trips on its train, buses and vans. Together, they provided 10.5 million passenger trips in the Middle Tennessee region.

“This is a great accomplishment for Nashville and Middle Tennessee,” RTA board Chair and Metro Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said.  “As a result of our transit services, fewer cars are traveling on our roads and interstates. Transit customers are helping to improve the region’s air quality and reduce traffic congestion in the area. This is good news for the future of our city.”

Ridership has increased steadily over the past year and continues to grow. Average Nashville MTA ridership is more than 33,000 passenger trips per weekday. Average regional bus ridership is 1,500 passenger trips per weekday. Ridership on regional buses has grown rapidly as well, up 23%.