METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Public transportation ridership climbs 3.2%

Nearly 5 billion trips taken on public transit in first six months of 2006.

September 21, 2006
1 min to read


Americans took nearly 5 billion trips on public transit in the first six months of 2006 — a 3.2% increase, according to the American Public Transportation Association. Light rail had the highest percentage of ridership growth among all modes of transportation, with a 9.4% increase. San Jose, Calif.-based Santa Clara Valley Transportation reported the largest increase in rail ridership at 33%. Commuter rail grew by 3.4% and heavy rail (subways) grew nationally by 2.6%. Bus ridership increased by 3.4%, with the most growth in Detroit at 14.2%. Demand response grew by 3.8%, trolleybus ridership increased by 0.5% and all other types of public transportation increased by 0.6% from January through June 2006. To see the complete report, go to apta.com/research/stats/ridership/

Topics:Management

More Management

Turning Transportation Challenges into Opportunities
Management•by Alex Roman•October 22, 2026

Brian Dickson on Building Stronger, More Resilient Transportation Organizations

Bus Business Consultants Founder Brian Dickson discusses the leadership principles, operational discipline, and strategic planning that separate transportation companies positioned for long-term success from those stuck in survival mode.

Read More →
Groundbreaking ceremony for LA Metro's Vermont Transit Corridor BRT
Bus•by Staff and News Reports•October 22, 2026

LA Metro Breaks Ground on Vermont BRT Project

The 12.4-mile corridor is projected to serve 66,200 daily riders, reduce travel times by up to 24%, and create the nation's busiest bus rapid transit corridor.

Read More →
Management•October 21, 2026

Building Stronger Leaders, More Resilient Transit Teams

Dr. Carol Parker Walsh discusses leadership development, employee retention, workplace culture, and preparing transit’s workforce for AI and automation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
ABC Companies President and CEO Roman Cornell
Bus•October 21, 2026

Roman Cornell on ABC Companies’ Evolution and the Future of Passenger Transportation

The company’s CEO discusses carrying forward a third-generation family legacy, ABC’s continued evolution in passenger transportation, support for increasingly complex fleets, and how technology and continued investment could help operators improve uptime.

Read More →
METRO Magazine graphic with a dark blue geometric background and the headline “CATS Launches West Charlotte Microtransit Zone, Expands Services” in bold white lettering.
Management•by Staff and News Reports•October 19, 2026

CATS Launches West Charlotte Microtransit Zone, Expands Transit Services

The new microtransit zone connects residents to key destinations as Charlotte Area Transit System rolls out the first phase of its 2055 Transit System Plan.

Read More →
VIA Primo BRT bus riders
Bus•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

VIA Bus Ridership Grows 10.1% Through August 2026

San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit reported the highest bus ridership growth among major Texas transit systems. Federal Transit Administration data ranked it second among the nation's 50 largest transit systems.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
New Standard Helps Transit Agencies Address Climate Risks
Security and Safety•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

CSA Group Releases Climate Resilience Standard for Transit, Passenger Rail

Developed with support from the Standards Council of Canada, CSA D700 guides assessing climate-related risks and planning adaptation measures for transit and passenger rail systems.

Read More →
Unifying Transit Data With AI Tools with ETA's John Maglio
Technology•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

ETA CEO John Maglio on Transit Technology, Innovation, and Building Agency Trust

ETA founder and CEO John Maglio explores the evolution of transit technology, the importance of reliable systems, and how stronger partnerships can help agencies improve operations and the passenger experience.

Read More →
METRO Magazine graphic showing passengers boarding a COTA bus at a downtown bus stop, with the headline “COTA Launches First Customer Experience Action Plan.”
Management•by Staff and News Reports•October 16, 2026

COTA Launches First Customer Experience Action Plan to Improve Transit Service

The new plan outlines improvements to service reliability, accessibility, communication, and the overall rider experience across Central Ohio's transit system.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Crowd waiting for LA Metro bus
Management•by Staff and News Reports•October 16, 2026

LA Metro September Ridership Climbs 3.9%, Led by Rail Growth

The agency recorded more than 27.2 million boardings, with rail ridership increasing 12.4% year over year and the D Line posting the largest gains.

Read More →