Twin Cities regional transit ridership dropped in 2009
Economic downturn dampens ridership nationwide
The economic recession and its accompanying high unemployment put a damper on demand for regional transit service in 2009.
In total, the region’s transit providers finished the year with just over 88.8 million rides, a 6.2% drop from 2008. Ridership on nearly every type of service – rail, express bus, local bus, dial-a-ride service and vanpools – declined. The only service that posted a small gain – less than 1% – was service for people with disabilities.
Service for people with disabilities was the only type to experience an increase in ridership between 2008 and 2009.
Metro Transit, provider of about 85% of the region’s transit service, finished 2009 with 75.6 million rides, down 6.7% from 2008. Ridership on Suburban Transit Association services fell from 5.2 million to 4.8 million, an 8.7% decline.
A bright spot was in November and December 2009, when Metro Transit’s ridership came closer to matching the same months in 2008. And in the first two months of 2010, Metro Transit’s ridership saw gains from January and February 2009, a positive trend.
Rail ridership posts smaller drop
Metro Transit posted bus ridership of 66.4 million, a drop of 7.3% from 2008. Light-rail ridership dropped by 3.5% from its record-high of 10.2 million in 2008 to just under 9.9 million. Northstar Commuter Rail, launched in mid-November, recorded 82,282 rides.
Transit agencies across the nation are reporting downturns in ridership. In the first nine months of last year, bus ridership decreased by 5% nationwide, according to the American Public Transportation Association. Light-rail ridership dropped by 1% nationally.
Between 2005-2008, Metro Transit reported steady growth in ridership, with 2008 posting a total of 82 million rides, the highest annual ridership for Metro Transit since 1981. The agency budgeted for 81 million rides in 2009, but managed budgets carefully in order to deal with an anticipated drop in ridership.
Gains in student- and employer-based programs
Annual transit ridership across the region grew steadily from 2004 forward, until the economic recession hit full force in late 2008.
Bright spots in 2009 were gains in University of Minnesota bus service ridership (up 6.5%) and Metro Transit’s student- and employer-based programs.
Rides taken by students using the Go-To College Pass at local colleges and trade schools were up 34%, or 306,000 rides. U-Pass rides on Metro Transit buses by students at the University of Minnesota were up 4.3%, or 165,000 rides, over the previous year.
At the end of December, commuters at 233 companies used the Metropass, a transit pass that employers provide, often picking up all or part of the cost for their employees. In 2009, rides taken with a Metropass increased 1% over 2008.
Despite the downturn in ridership, transit improvements in 2009 will help position the region for future economic growth, said Brian Lamb, Metro Transit General Manager.
“The Northstar Line, the new express bus service between Lakeville and downtown Minneapolis, and new park-and-ride facilities in Blaine, Roseville and Lakeville all will help capitalize on more demand with a growing economy,” he said.