Rail industry data and trends from Progressive Railroading October 2010

After dipping in 2009 because of the recession, public transit ridership seems to be rebounding, if only slightly.

In the second quarter, more than 2.5 billion trips were taken on U.S. public transportation systems, up 0.1 percent compared with second-quarter 2009 ridership, according to a report released last month by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The ridership gain is the first in six quarters, according to the report.

Public transit use had declined in the past five quarters due to high unemployment, the recession, and lower state and local revenue for public transportation, according to APTA.

A Step in the Right Direction

In 2Q, 16 out of 28 light-rail systems reported a ridership gain, and light-rail ridership increased nationally by 4.2 percent. Light-rail systems in five cities registered double-digit increases: New Orleans, 27.8 percent; Phoenix, 12.7 percent; Seattle (King County Metro Transit), 12.5 percent; and Portland, Ore., 11.3 percent. Seattle's Sound Transit posted a more than 100 percent increase in ridership due to a new line that opened in July 2009.

Eleven out of 15 heavy-rail systems logged ridership increases, including systems in New York (MTA Staten Island Railway), up 9.1 percent; Baltimore, 7.2 percent; Philadelphia, 6.3 percent; and Chicago, 5.4 percent. Nationally, heavy-rail ridership rose 2.2 percent.

Meanwhile, 13 out of 27 commuter-rail systems reported quarterly gains, including systems in Nashville, Tenn., up 19 percent; Portland, Ore., 10.4 percent; Harrisburg, Pa., 9.5 percent; Salt Lake City, 9.3 percent; and Alexandria, Va., 9 percent. Nationally, commuter-rail ridership declined 0.4 percent in 2Q.