In 2014, Americans took 10.8 billion trips on public transportation, which is the highest in 58 years, according to
figures released from the American Public Transportation Association.
"Despite the steep decline in gas prices at the end of last year, public transit ridership increased. This shows that once people start riding public transit, they discover that there are additional benefits besides saving money," said APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy. “People are changing their travel behavior and want more travel options,” said Melaniphy. "In the past people had a binary choice. You either took public transit, most likely a bus, or you drove a car. Now there are multiple options with subways, light rail, streetcars, commuter trains, buses, ferries, cars and shared use vehicles."
In 2014, DART's ridership grew thanks in part to increased service with the opening of the Orange Line extension to DFW Airport and continued economic recovery for the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Nationally, focus continues with finding a long-term, well-funded surface transportation bill. The current federal transportation bill expires at the end of May.
Locally, DART continues to grow, expand and improve its service. Construction has begun on the Blue Line extension to the UNT-Dallas campus and 2015 will see the introduction of new streetcar service in downtown Dallas and an extension of the M-Line trolley. Learn more about DART's future at
dart.org/2040.
Record 10.8 Billion Trips Taken On U.S. Public Transportation In 2014 [APTA]
Public transit hits 10.8 billion trips in 2014 [USA Today]