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For the third-straight fiscal year, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has boosted ridership and increased revenue.

During FY2009, which ended June 30, SEPTA’s ridership rose 1 percent to 329.6 million trips compared with FY2008’s total. The City Transit and Suburban divisions registered a 2 percent and 1 percent ridership gain, respectively. SEPTA also generated a 3 percent increase in passenger revenue vs. FY2008.

However, in FY2009’s final quarter, the authority’s ridership fell 2 percent, reflecting the recession and high unemployment levels, said SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey in a prepared statement.

Job losses are mounting and the number of people going to work everyday continues to decrease, SEPTA officials said. In addition, many families are tightening their belts, meaning fewer people are traveling via rail, road and airways for vacations and other leisure activities, they said.