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To say Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) officials are happy about the agency's rail ridership in fiscal-year 2007 is an understatement. During the period, which ended Sept. 30, ridership jumped 12.2 percent to 77.7 million boardings compared with FY2006's boardings.

The ridership boost helped drive up passenger revenue 3.5 percent, enabling MARTA to record a budget surplus for the second-straight fiscal year.

In addition, the agency's combined bus and rail ridership in FY07 reached 147.5 million boardings, a 6.6 percent increase compared with FY06 ridership.

MARTA officials attribute the increase to infrastructure upgrades, customer service improvements, a new fare collection system and escalating gasoline prices. Another rider enticement: The agency has maintained the same fares since January 2001, MARTA said.