APTA: 5.3 billion transit trips in first half of 2015; 71 percent of transit ballot initiatives pass

While total public transit ridership decreased 0.9 percent during the first six months of 2015 compared with the same period last year, heavy-rail ridership rose 0.5 percent, according to the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) most recent ridership report.

There were almost 5.3 billion trips taken on all public transit modes, representing 50 million fewer trips compared with the first half of 2014, APTA officials said in a news release.

A total of nine out of 15 heavy-rail systems reported increases. Cities logging rail ridership increases included San Francisco, up 4.3 percent; Atlanta, up 3.1 percent; and Jersey City, N.J., up 2.1 percent.

Commuter-rail ridership rose 0.3 percent during the sixth-month period, with 16 of 28 systems logging increases. Commuter-rail ridership in Orlando, Fla., soared 208.7 percent due to the launch of SunRail service in May 2014. Ridership on commuter-rail also increased 14.5 percent in Seattle and 11.3 percent in Anchorage, APTA officials said.

Light-rail ridership slipped 0.4 percent during 2015's first half, although light-rail trains in Minneapolis experienced a 113.6 percent increase due to a line that opened in June 2014.

"With a significant drop in gas prices, some people may have returned to driving, but still, most people continued their trips on public transportation," said APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Melaniphy, noting that the average price of gas for the first six months of 2015 fell 29 percent.

Meanwhile, APTA also reported that 71 percent of transportation ballot initiatives passed on Tuesday. A total 10 out of 14 local and statewide public transit-related ballot initiatives were approved, APTA officials said.

Six of the winning referenda will provide additional revenue to public transportation systems through a new sales tax in the following communities and counties: Fraser, Colo.; Winter Park, Colo.; Snohomish County, Wash.; Davis County, Utah; Weber County, Utah; and Toole County, Utah.

Voters also increased property taxes for public transportation in three communities: Seattle; Scio Township, Mich.; and Delta County, Mich.

Maine voters passed a statewide multimodal bond initiative, which include public transportation, by a 73 percent margin.