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Despite a weak Ohio economy, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) carried 55.5 million passengers last year — only the second time in 25 years that the authority has increased annual ridership in back-to-back years.

In 2004, ridership increased 3.7 percent compared with 2003, when ridership rose 1.5 percent compared with 2002. All modes posted gains last year, including light-rail (1.2 percent) and heavy rail (9.8 percent).

When compared with 2001 data, RTA’s 2004 customer satisfaction rating went up 88 percent, on-time performance rose 24 percent and reliability increased 144 percent.

The authority last posted consecutive ridership increases in 1996 and 1997 — when it opened the Waterfront Line — and in 1979 and 1980.