MENU
SEARCHIn the second quarter, some cities saw ridership increases due to economic recovery, including Birmingham, Ala.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Miami; Denver; Champaign-Urbana, Ill.; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Ithaca, N.Y.; Houston; Hampton Roads, Va; and Seattle.
Nationally, nearly 2.7 billion trips were taken on U.S. public transportation in the second quarter of 2013, according to a report released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
Compared to the second quarter of 2012, this year’s second quarter increased by 1.2%, with nearly 31 million more trips taken from April through June. In comparison, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on U.S. roads was up by 0.5%.
“In big and small communities, demand for public transportation continues to grow,” said APTA President/CEO Michael Melaniphy. “Public transit ridership has increased in eight of the last 10 quarters. I anticipate that this trend of transit ridership growth throughout the United States will continue.”
In the second quarter, some cities saw ridership increases due to economic recovery, including Birmingham, Ala.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Miami; Denver; Champaign-Urbana, Ill.; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Ithaca, N.Y.; Houston; Hampton Roads, Va; and Seattle.
“As the local economy continues to recover, public transportation ridership continues to increase in those communities where jobs are increasing,” said Melaniphy. “Since nearly 60 percent of trips taken on public transportation are for work commutes, it makes sense that ridership goes up when employment goes up.”
To view the complete APTA 2013 second quarter ridership report, click here.
2013 Second Quarter Ridership Breakdown
Nationally, heavy rail ridership increased by 2.5% as eight out of 15 heavy rail systems (subways and elevated trains) experienced ridership increases in the second quarter of 2013 over the same period in 2012.
The heavy rail systems with the highest increases in ridership for 2013 were in the following cities: Miami (16.8%); San Francisco (6.7%); New York (3.8%); and Philadelphia (3.7%).
Nineteen out of 28 commuter rail systems reported ridership increases as commuter rail ridership grew by 0.9%. Commuter rail ridership saw a triple-digit increase in Salt Lake City (110.1%) due to a new commuter rail line opening in December 2012. Five commuter rail systems saw double-digit increases in the second quarter including Austin, Texas (37.1%); Lewisville, Texas (30.4%); Stockton, Calif. (22.0%); Anchorage, Alaska (18.3%); and Minneapolis (15.6%).
Nationally, bus ridership rose by 0.5% from April through June of 2013, with some of the highest bus ridership increases reported in Houston (5.1%); Washington, D.C. (3.9%); Minneapolis (3.8%); and Seattle — King County Department of Transportation (2.8%).
Light rail ridership decreased by 0.5% in the second quarter, as 14 out of 28 light rail systems reported an increase in ridership from April through June 2013. Light rail systems saw double digit increases in the second quarter in two cities: Hampton, Va. (21.4%) and Denver.
Paratransit ridership decreased in 2013 by 0.5% and trolleybus ridership decreased by 0.9%.
Connectpoint is enhancing its digital signage strategy by integrating LED technology into its services.
Read More →
Today’s riders—and the communities you serve—expect more from public transit. While ADA compliance is required, leading transit agencies know that true accessibility also means delivering dignity, efficiency, and a better rider experience. This whitepaper reveals why forward thinking agencies nationwide choose the Low Floor Frontrunner as their first choice for ADA compliant vehicles—setting a new standard with passenger first design, faster boarding, improved safety, and unmatched operational performance.
Read More →
Step inside AMF Bruns of America’s 41,000-square-foot facility in Stow, Ohio, where expanded manufacturing capacity, modernized operations, and a focus on next-generation mobility solutions are shaping the company’s growth in accessible transportation.
Read More →
With expanded production space, local investment, and a growing workforce, AMF Bruns is scaling its U.S. presence. Here’s an exclusive look inside the new Stow, Ohio, HQ.
Read More →
The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.
Read More →
Nadine S. Lee, who has served as president/CEO since July 2021, said the decision comes after careful reflection on the agency’s progress and its path forward.
Read More →
What truly drives the cost of a paratransit fleet? Beyond the purchase price, seven operational factors quietly determine maintenance frequency, downtime, and long-term service reliability. This whitepaper explores how these factors shape lifecycle cost and what agencies should evaluate when selecting paratransit vehicles.
Read More →
The new HARTPlus SUVs — 2025 Ford Interceptor Utility models — represent a significant step toward modernizing mobility and enhancing service for paratransit riders throughout Hillsborough County.
Read More →
See how leading agencies integrate eligibility, operations, staffing, and rider access to protect service and public dollars.
Read More →
Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.
Read More →
