Survey Examines the Changing Habits of the American Transit Rider

"Excuses abound for falling transit ridership in American cities. Transit agencies have blamed the growth of Uber and Lyft, an expanding economy, falling gas prices, and cheap car loans for recent declines in bus and rail ridership. These explanations describe real forces buffeting the nation’s transit systems, but they don’t tell the full story."

That's the premise for a post sharing new survey data from TransitCenter. The "Who's on Board 2019" report surveyed 1,700 transit riders in seven U.S. cities to ask about changing ridership habits and how transit agencies can win back riders.

The post offers insight into the changing habits of transit riders, including fewer "all-purpose riders," more competition from private cars, and low-income people moving deeper into the suburbs (and farther away from transit).

In a separate article, Angie Schmitt follows up on the report, including a few words the big idea for transit agencies trying to win back riders: better service.