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Regional transit ridership: up again in 2008

Metro Transit hits 27-year high

2008 was another strong year for regional bus and rail ridership. The region’s transit providers finished the year with nearly 95 million rides, a 6.5% increase over 2007, according to preliminary estimates from Metropolitan Council Transportation Services (MTS).

Express bus service across the region grew 10.7% to 13.7 million rides, and local service grew 4.8% to 68.7 million. Ridership on Hiawatha Light Rail grew 12.3%, topping 10 million for the first time. In fact, every type of service – except for general public dial-a-rides – posted ridership gains, including ADA paratransit service (such as Metro Mobility) and registered vanpools.

Metro Transit ridership hits 27-year high

According to MTS, Metro Transit – by far the region’s largest transit provider – posted 81.1 million rides, a 6.1% gain. Suburban Transit Authority agencies provided 5.2 million rides, an 8.9% jump from 2007.

“Metro Transit’s ridership has grown by 17.4% in the past four years,” said General Manager Brian Lamb. “That’s a testament to the growing demand for transit service in the region and to the quality that people are experiencing when using our services.”

Metro Transit saw the biggest gains in its employer- and student-based programs. At the end of December, commuters at 215 companies used discounted annual Metropasses issued through their employers. In 2008, rides taken with Metropasses increased 20% over 2007.

U-Pass rides by students at the University of Minnesota were up 29%. Rides taken by students using the Go-To College Pass at local colleges and trade schools were up 145%.

Lamb credits customer service, technology improvements

Lamb said that Metro Transit employees have maintained their commitment to quality while serving the largest number of people in decades. “In our latest onboard survey, 90 percent of bus customers and 95 percent of people who ride the train said they were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the riding experience,” Lamb said.

Lamb also credited technology enhancements made in 2008 with making transit more accessible to residents who are looking for options that are easy on the wallet and the environment.

For example, customers used the interactive trip planner at metrotransit.org to create 5.6 million itineraries last year, an increase of 40 percent over 2007. Another innovation, the online NexTrip real-time bus tracker, had peak-period usage of about 55,000 sessions per hour in December. The tool can be accessed by computer, phone and hand-held device.

In addition, each month nearly 5,000 people are visiting metrotransit.org to buy or add value to a Go-To Card, a reusable card that offers instant fare payment for bus and train rides.

Mixed outlook for 2009

When Metro Transit sets its annual ridership goal, it also establishes its budget for the year. The agency’s 2009 ridership goal of 81 million reflects a more cautious projection due to several factors, including the state’s uncertain economic picture, Lamb said.

“First, ridership growth slowed in October and November last year, and we had a year-over-year ridership loss in December due to the Oct. 1 fare increase, lower gas prices and growing unemployment,” he said. “Second, 2009 will be a tough year as the region’s transit providers will need to overcome a $72 million funding shortfall for the next two and a half years.”

In the current economy, many people are delaying major purchases, such as new cars. That translates to a decrease in one of the major funding sources for transit – revenues from the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST).

Despite these challenges, customers should expect several enhancements to transit service by the end of the year, Lamb said. Those enhancements include the launch of Northstar commuter rail line service between Big Lake and Minneapolis and – thanks to a federal Urban Partnership Agreement grant of $133 million – the addition of service, new park-and-ride facilities and technology projects primarily along I-35W and Cedar Avenue.