Mass Transit - 21

2016

D

2017

Cable Car
Commuter Rail

ATA INCLUDED IN THE AMERICAN PUBLIC
Transportation Association (APTA) 2019 Public
Transportation Fact Book shows rail modes account for 48 percent of all transit ridership and
carry 58 percent of the passenger miles traveled.
APTA's analysis of ridership data in 2018 found
that, overall, transit ridership is down, but nationally, commuter rail ridership increased in 18 out
of 31 transit systems while overall ridership increased by
0.41 percent. Light-rail ridership, which includes modern
streetcars, trolleys and heritage trolleys, increased in nine
out of 28 transit systems while overall ridership decreased
by 3.0 percent and heavy rail ridership, which includes
subways and elevated trains, decreased by 2.6 percent.
APTA points to the double-digit ridership increases on
rail systems in Orlando, Fla., Stockton, Calif, Tampa, Fla.
And Charlotte, N.C., as examples of communities large
and small willing to embrace public transit with increased
ridership. APTA also notes that with the opening of
the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit system in
August 2017, San Rafael, Calif., saw rail
ridership increase 146.5 percent.

Passengers Per Hour
Heavy Rail

NTD Metrics

Hybrid Rail

2016

Inclined Plane

2017

Cable
Light Car
Rail
Monorail/
Commuter
Rail
Guideway
Heavy
Street Rail
Car
Rail
Average
Hybrid
Rail
Inclined Plane 0

20

40

60

80

100

20

40

60

80

100

Light Rail
Monorail/
Guideway
Street Car
Rail Average
0

Cost Per Passengers
2016

2017

2016

2017

Cable Car
Commuter Rail
Heavy Rail
Hybrid Rail
Inclined Plane
Cable
Light Car
Rail
Monorail/
Commuter
Rail
Guideway
Heavy
Street Rail
Car
Rail
Average
Hybrid
Rail
5

Inclined Plane 0

10

15

20

Ridership Trends
Light Rail

By The Numbers
88

Monorail/
Guideway
Year
Total
Ridership
Street Car
(000s)
Rail Average
2007
10,270,589.27
0
2008
10,597,931.00

3,450,428.70
5
3,570,826.20

429,765.10
10
462,122.00

455,118.10
15
475,738.70

10,257,889.07

3,476,969.10

457,117.50

451,878.80

10,172,352.00

3,530,638.90

464,977.50

452,790.60

2011

10,361,769.10

3,648,329.50

488,503.70

464,036.80

10,537,187.70

3,702,571.00

510,022.90

466,433.90

10,652,068.90

3,808,780.90

518,536.20

476,038.90

10,736,168.74

3,939,259.40

528,478.50

490,409.20

10,626,931.08

3,945,568.60

528,030.80

489,873.40

2016

10,407,891.67

3,893,768.30

548,006.00

497,038.60

2017

10,107,308.84

3,813,059.70

543,527.50

495,751.90

48%

2013
2014
2015

APTA 2019 Public Transportation Fact Book

Commuter
Rail (000s)

2010

2012

Rail ridership has
increased by more than
60% since 1997

Light Rail
(000s)

2009

Number of rail systems
now operated by public
transit agencies in the U.S.

of public transit
trips are by rail

Heavy Rail
(000s)

American Public Transportation Association
Quarterly Ridership Report

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