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Valley Metro’s total ridership rose 6.8 percent in May compared with the year-ago period, agency officials announced.

Officials at the Phoenix-area agency attributed the increase to a “slight economic upswing, ongoing high gas prices, and transit use to sporting and community events,” according to a prepared statement.

Last month, ridership on Valley Metro’s light-rail and bus services climbed to nearly 6 million compared with 5.6 million in May 2011. Light-rail ridership increased slightly to 1.1 million versus 1 million a year ago.