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Last year, higher fuel prices, increased tourism and new residential development helped MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) post reach its highest annual ridership since 1965. The agency carried 2.4 billion passengers on its subway and bus systems, up 3.1 percent vs. 2007's total.

Subway ridership totaling 1.6 billion rose 3.9 percent — the highest level since 1950. Average weekday subway ridership reached 5.2 million, up 3.6 percent, and average weekend ridership totaled 5.3 million, up 3.1 percent.

However, ridership growth "slowed considerably" toward year's end as the economy worsened, NYCT said. Combined subway and bus ridership rose 3.6 percent during 2008's first nine months, but only about 0.4 percent during the fourth quarter.