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For the third time in 2011, the Regional Transportation Authority’s (RTA) Music City Star in Nashville set a single-month ridership record. In June, ridership jumped 53 percent to 26,989 compared with June 2010’s 17,620.

Ridership on all RTA services grew 42 percent for the month, RTA officials said in a prepared statement.

Through 2011’s first six months, Star ridership rose 40 percent compared with the same period a year ago. Train ridership was increasing in 2011 even before gas prices spiked — and despite 2010 being a record ridership year, RTA officials said.

“Middle Tennesseans realize how affordable the service is and that it’s easy to use,” said RTA Chairwoman Jo Ann Graves. “Of course, this creates a greater demand to grow our transportation network, and the board and staff are working very hard on this.”