Transit Ridership

My First Ride

How Well Does Light Rail Attract New Transit Riders?

The answer to the question in the headline is “not very.” Thirty years into the initial experiment, however, light rail has not been the game changer it was hoped to be.

April 13, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

More Criticism of Transit Record Claims

A pair of articles pushes back on a recent study that claims public transit use in the United States is reaching record levels.

March 25, 2014 - The Washington Post

How Important is High Frequency Transit Service?

Earlier this month, Portland’s TriMet restored high frequency bus service to ten bus routes around the city. Jarrett Walker makes the case that the frequency of service can make or break a city’s transit system.

March 24, 2014 - Human Transit

Rejecting the Popular Transit Ridership Narrative

A recent study claimed that transit ridership had reached the highest levels seen in 57 years. Wendell Cox, however, argues that the narrative about a “fundamental shift” in the transportation paradigm is a misrepresentation of the truth.

March 20, 2014 - New Geography

Increases in Transit Ridership Overthrowing Assumptions About Why We Ride

A recent report by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) shows transit ridership increasing to historic levels. The surprise is that the increase occurs as gas prices have fallen.

March 11, 2014 - American Public Transportation Association

In Transit, Is Better Station Architecture Worth the Cost?

Do transit stations with sleeker designs boost ridership? Evidence suggests that the answer may be yes. But does that mean that we should spend limited transit funds on better architecture?

February 3, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

S.F. Giants Celebratory Parade Causes Transit Surge - Records Broken

The Oct. 31 parade to honor the World Series-winning San Francisco Giants resulted in record-breaking numbers of riders taking BART, Caltrain, SF Muni and ferries to attend the parade who were accommodated by increased service. Why not continue it?

November 4, 2012 - San Jose Mercury News

Transfers, Bus Lanes, and More: What LA Metro Isn't Doing to Attract Riders

Columnist David Lazarus looks at how L.A. Metro could increase transit usage, in the wake of reports showing how expensive it is to drive instead.

March 24, 2010 - The Los Angeles Times

Transit Stops Increase Property Value- But Why?

Sam Staley argues that the increase in property values around transit stations isn't attributable to increased ridership, and in fact the locations with the least investment had the highest ridership.

June 1, 2009 - The Business Journal (Fresno)

Gas Prices Surge, Transit Ridership Jumps, VMT Drops

As gas prices inch beyond $4 a gallon, transit trips increase by 3.3% for the first quarter of the year and vehicle miles traveled drop 4.3% in March.

June 3, 2008 - The Washington Post

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