Ridership
Transit Use is Growing, But Not Where You Think
Transit saw some big ridership increases over the past few years, but maybe not where you'd expect. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the top ten metropolitan areas where transit use has increased the most.
The Planetizen News Brief - 9/24/09
4:15 minutes (3.9 MB)
Detroit shifts gears to the fashion industry, and light rail sees unexpected success in Phoenix -- all on this week's Planetizen News Brief, airing weekly on the nationally-syndicated radio show "Smart City". Read, listen or download.
Increasing Bike Ridership Means Pulling in Women
In the U.S., men bike far more than women. Some researchers suggest that understanding and meeting the demands of women is the best way to increase overall ridership.
Scientific American
Chicago Sees Boost in Transit Ridership
More Chicago area residents are riding transit when compared to figures form 2003, and they're riding more often.
Chicago Sun-Times
Visualizing The World's Public Transit
This info-graphic from Good compares subways an rapid transit rail systems from around the world, by track miles and ridership.
Good
The Catch-22 of New Orleans Transit
Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, public transit in New Orleans has struggled to rebound. With few riders, service expansions can't be justified. But with diminished service, fewer view transit as a viable option.
Next American City
Amtrak's Struggle To Catch Up To Demand
This article from Next American City looks at rising ridership on Amtrak and how the train operator is not quite ready to handle it.
Next American City
Riding in Peace
'Quiet' cars on trains -- where cell phones and loud headphones are banned -- are widely popular. So why aren't more transit agencies making designated quiet cars?
The New York Sun
Now That People Are Using Transit, Improve It
Driving is down, transit ridership is up, but few are serisouly talking about how to improve America's transit system, according to this article from Grist, which wonders why.
Grist
Gas Prices Cause High Demand for Transit
Rising gas prices have caused a big increase in transit ridership in Loudoun County, Virginia, where officials are looking to expand their bus fleet and capacity to handle the jump in demand.
The Washington Post
The End of Car Culture?
Transit ridership is spiking across the country as gas prices go up. Is this a tipping point for America's car culture?
The Philadelphia Inquirer
L.A. Subway Ridership Spikes in 2008
With gas prices rising beyond the comfort zones of many drivers, ridership on L.A.'s train system has seen record highs in the early months of 2008. For many in the city, the price is prompting a major paradigm shift in terms of mobility.
BBC
Oregonians Driving Less, Riding Transit More
Rising gas prices are pushing more and more Oregon drivers out of their cars. High public transit ridership figures and a reduction in vehicle-miles traveled suggest former drivers are now using transit instead of driving.
The Oregonian
Transit Ridership Is Up, But So Are Costs
More and more people are riding public transit systems, which many officials see as a good sign. But the added strains to the systems are placing many in tight financial situations.
U.S. News & World Report
The Pains of Popularity
San Diego's downtown trolley service is becoming too popular, causing officials to propose equipment upgrades to handle the rising crowds. But the bigger trolleys will take out some car lanes and affect traffic lights, and many are unhappy about it.
San Diego City Beat


















