Media Advisory
March 29, 2005
Contact:
Virginia Miller
(202) 496-4816
vmiller@apta.com
(Download
In Adobe PDF Format)
The American Public Transportation
Association (APTA) announced that 9.6 billion trips were taken on U.S. local public
transportation systems in 2004, an increase of 2.11 percent over the previous
year. This growth rate was faster than highway vehicle travel, which grew by 1.14
percent in 2004.
"Public transportation is on the move.
Over the past ten years 23 percent more trips were taken by Americans on public
transportation," said APTA President William W. Millar. "Now more than
ever, it is urgent that Congress pass a long-term, well-funded and fully guaranteed
transportation bill that meets the increased public demand for public transportation."
The
largest increase of ridership in 2004 was in light rail, which showed an 8.2 percent
increase from 2003. The light rail mode includes streetcars and trolleys. Several
new light rail services started in 2004 in cities across the country including:
Houston, Minneapolis, Little Rock, Charlotte, and Trenton. Expanded light rail
services in 2004 went into effect in Pittsburgh, San Jose, Memphis, New Orleans,
Portland (OR), Sacramento, and Jersey City (NJ).
Other rail
modes also saw increases. Heavy rail (also called subways) increased nationally
by 3 percent. Commuter rail increased by 0.3 percent, while buses saw a ridership
increase of 1.7.
Demand response, also called paratransit,
grew 4.1 percent, making it the second largest modal increase in 2004. This service
is comprised of passenger cars, vans or small buses that serve primarily older
Americans and persons with disabilities.
* * *
APTA
is a nonprofit international association of more than 1,500 member organizations
including public transportation systems; planning, design, construction and finance
firms; product and service providers; academic institutions, and state associations
and departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing
safe, efficient and economical public transportation services and products. Over
ninety percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and
Canada are served by APTA members.
Some of these pages may include links to documents in the Adobe PDF format. Please download the Adobe PDF reader if you have not already done so.
