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In the third quarter, public transportation providers logged about 2.5 billion trips, down 0.7 percent compared with third-quarter 2009’s level, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

“Since nearly 60 percent of public transit trips are work-related commuter trips, public transit ridership continues to be impacted by the ups and downs of the economy and persistent high unemployment,” said APTA President William Millar in a prepared statement. “Additionally, ridership has declined because many transit systems have been forced to raise fares and/or cut service as the result of reduced state and local revenue.”

During the quarter, heavy rail ridership increased 1.7 percent year over year.  Eleven of 15 heavy rail systems (including subways and elevated trains) registered gains, led by ridership increases in San Juan, Puerto Rico (9.9 percent); Baltimore (7.2 percent); and New York City/Staten Island (6.3 percent).

Light-rail ridership decreased 0.2 percent compared with third-quarter 2009’s level. Thirteen of 27 light-rail systems reported gains, including those located in New Orleans (up 61 percent); Seattle/Sound Transit (up 57.2 percent); Seattle/King County Department of Transportation (up 16.9 percent); Phoenix (up 14.1 percent); and Portland, Ore. (up 12.9 percent).

Meanwhile, commuter-rail ridership declined 1.1 percent year over year. Fourteen of 27 commuter-rail systems reported increases, led by ridership gains in Portland (21.2 percent); Salt Lake City (15.2 percent); New Haven, Conn. (12.6 percent); Alexandria, Va. (8.4 percent); and Harrisburg, Pa. (6.1 percent).