Valley Metro's ridership reached record high in FY2013

Valley Metro posted record ridership with 73.4 million boardings in fiscal-year 2013, which ended June 30.

The previous record on the Maricopa County, Az., agency's buses and light-rail trains was 71.2 million riders set in 2009, Valley Metro officials said in a press release.

"Transit is becoming more relevant in the daily lives of our Valley residents and visitors," said Chairman Shana Ellis. "We will continue to plan and build a regional system for today's travelers, as well as our younger generations who understand the value of public transit."

A jump in ridership was particularly significant on Sundays, with light-rail boardings increasing 12.5 percent versus FY2012, agency officials said. The increase is due in part to special events served by light rail.

Overall light-rail ridership climbed 5.4 percent to 14,286,093 in FY2013 from 13,553,490 in FY2012. Total ridership (bus and light rail) rose 3.3 percent to 79,409,805.