WASHINGTON — The nation’s public transportation systems logged a 5.2 percent jump in ridership in the second quarter, according to industry figures to be released today, as record-high gas prices pushed people to take millions more trips on buses and rail systems.
Riders made a total of 2.8 billion trips on the nation’s subways, buses, commuter railroads and light-rail systems from April to June, according to the Washington-based American Public Transportation Association. That’s up from 2.7 billion in the same period last year.
By contrast, transit ridership increased 2.1 percent for all of 2007, a more typical growth.
The surge in riders is straining many agencies. Systems are struggling just to maintain the service they already offer because of their own rising fuel costs, according to a survey conducted by the association.
“The irony is that just at a time when Americans need choice, need alternatives to higher-priced gasoline, 35 percent of transit systems are saying they may need to cut service,” association president William Millar said. His group is pushing for more federal funding for public transportation.
Metro Denver’s Regional Transportation District said its bus and light-rail boardings were up 7.8 percent for the first seven months of 2008 compared with the same period a year ago.
While RTD’s farebox revenue has grown with the increased ridership, sales-tax receipts — which account for two-thirds of the agency’s total revenue — have been flat because of consumers’ curtailed spending on taxable purchases, RTD officials say.
That shortfall in tax receipts, coupled with the high price of diesel fuel, led the agency to propose another fare increase for January.
Denver Post staff writer Jeffrey Leib contributed to this report.
