U.S. public transit ridership during the third quarter of 2013 totaled nearly 2.7 billion trips, a 1.5 percent increase over the same quarter in 2012, according to APTA statistics. The increase represents more than 39 million trips.

Ridership increased in all public transportation modes, led by 3.1 percent among light rail systems.

Noting that ridership has grown in nine of the last 11 quarters, APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy said: “Public transportation ridership continued to grow across the country in large, medium, and small communities during the third quarter of 2013. This continued demand for public transportation demonstrates the value of public transit to individuals and to the communities they live in, regardless of size.”

Melaniphy also cited other factors affecting ridership such as high gas prices and recovering local economies.

Half of the 28 light rail agencies that contributed data to the report had ridership increases, led by New Orleans, LA, 71.2 percent; Denver, CO, 25.3 percent, with a new line opened earlier in the year; Salt Lake City, UT, 13.4 percent; and Pittsburgh, PA, 10.2 percent.

Heavy rail systems showed growth of 2.4 percent, led by Miami, FL, at 11.1 percent.

Among commuter rail agencies, 22 of 28 systems experienced increased ridership, with an overall increase of 1.9 percent, led by Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake City, which saw a triple-digit increase due to a new line opening in December 2012.

Bus ridership increased nationally by 0.7 percent, while demand response grew 2.2 percent. Trolleybus ridership increased by 2.6 percent.

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