Public transit ridership declines

[wpsedgwick]

Source: Green Technology Daily

The American Public Transportation Association, an organization including public transit systems and organizations, reported on Tuesday that public transit ridership is down 3.8 percent in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the record levels of 2008.

The association attributed the drop in ridership in bus, light rail, heavy rail and commuter rail to a drop in economic activity. It also noted that declines in local and state funding for public transit had reduced service and raised fares.

“This downturn in public transportation ridership is a reflection of our economic times,” said American Public Transportation Association President William Millar.


Read more: http://www.greentechnologydaily.com/travel/569-public-transit-ridership-declines

[YOY]

1. They ain't livin' in my burg.

Packed like goddamn sardines as of late.

[Cirque du So-What]

2. Maybe people just don't have a good reason to go anywhere

Lots of people are out of work, so who has money to go shopping?

[Bennyboy]

3. Round Sacramento...they raised rates and cut service...

Now it is six bucks for a daily and $2.50 every time you set foot on the bus at regular fare. The service cuts really screwed me.

While the State workers get discount fares and welfare people get free fares.

And long distance wise, it is far cheaper to take your car and park it if you have two people going to San Francisco...Or Los Angeles even.

[Ignis]

4. J - O - B - S

No reason to put yourself through commuter hell when there's nothing waiting for you at the end of the line.

[frazzled]

5. It's only declining from last year's "record levels"

Which means it's back to normal, I guess.

The buses and trains seem the same here. (Maybe fewer drivers taking the commuter trains from the burbs, though--don't know).

[customerserviceguy]

6. When you take public transportation

you factor in the difference between getting to work a bit faster because you're in a bus lane, and what it costs you for parking at your job.

I'd guess that with a high unemployment rate, there are fewer people slowing you down on the way to the job you still have, and parking rates have softened with lower demand for spaces.

[skepticscott]

7. They don't mention

the drop in the price of gas. When gas was $4 a gallon and higher, people ditched their big SUVs or drove less period, and used public transportation more. Now that it's back down, old wasteful habits re-emerge.